EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty Communications EXCO meeting 20-21 avril 2012 EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE

EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty Presentation of EAPN’s communications strategy Presentation of first draft work programme on communications Exco subgroup on communications EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE

EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty Communications strategy and work programme 20 avril 2012 EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE

EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty Telling Our Story: Communications & EAPN Presentation of the communications strategy by Peter Kelly, EXCO in Tallinn, 25 Nov 2011 EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE

Developing the EAPN Communication Strategy What we have done Why communications matter What the Networks need The draft strategy The next steps

The Communication Working Group Group established in early 2011 Members from Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Netherlands, Poland, Spain & UK Group has met twice and a workshop session at GA in Lisbon Focused on developing a communications strategy based on the needs of NN, drawing on the expertise of the group

The Need for a Strategic Approach to Communications for EAPN To deliver on our mission we need an effective and coordinated approach to communications To support the policy changes we seek To raise awareness of the experience of the poverty amongst key stakeholders and the public To support the creation of stronger national networks

Communications Opportunities…missed The Crisis Conference: A major event, an opportunity to reach a wider audience, but did it have the impact on politicians, policy makers, our partners, other campaigners? The Eurozone/Debt Crisis: A more consistent approach to communications would allow us to intervene in the debates around the future of the EU

What Our Networks Need Most NN do not have a clear approach to communications Most did not have access to a dedicated communications/media officer Top 3 priorities were for better communication between NN, improved lobbying on positions at EU and National level, better dissemination of European policy information at national level

What Our Networks Need Most have carried out their own campaigns, have a website, and produce their own publications Only a minority use social media and most would like support in speaking to the media There is a good base to build on – networks understand the importance of communication but practice can be improved

Draft Communications Strategy Communications is about more than tools! A focus on both internal and external communications Our goal for internal communications: : Improve the exchange of information and collaboration within EAPN, between all structures and members. Our goal for external communications: Being heard, understood and supported by as many people as possible, on who we are, what we do, what we want.

Draft Communications Strategy Key goals on internal communication: improving dissemination and reporting of members views of key EU & National policy improving exchanges between members making better use of current tools to improve exchange between NNs

Draft Communications Strategy Key goals on external communication: raising our profile as a campaigner against poverty raising our profile as an organization working with people experiencing poverty Improving media coverage at EU and national levels Making better use of communication tools to improve profile with external audiences

Draft Communications Strategy Planning and implementation: key audiences have been defined main messages have been identified through EAPN strategic plan core tools are: online activity; media work; events; established activities (briefings, reports, newsletters, magazines, etc) Action plan and timeline (= WORK PROGRAMME) to be defined following the adopting of work programme for 2012.

Draft Communications Work Programme Phase 1: definition of Actions / Objectives Phase 2: gather all actions in specific tasks (that’s where we are!) Phase 3: assign timeline and responsibility to all tasks

Work Programme – specific tasks Draft Communications Work Programme – specific tasks INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Methodology Each group (EXCO, subgroups, taskforces) of EAPN includes a session on ways of working together Develop the use of ICTs, social media, open- source tools Evaluation of tools Fundraising and communication work should work more closely together

Work Programme – specific tasks Draft Communications Work Programme – specific tasks INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Tools New resources for the website Migration, new members’ room, more information on the members’ room, tutorials, google translator bar, inventory of tools, … Regular update on comms issues to communications contact people Mapping of expertise Creation of a forum as interactive tool for exchange Video recordings of presentations

Work Programme – specific tasks Draft Communications Work Programme – specific tasks INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Tools Interactive online platform for training and capacity building ICT capacity building sessions Re-shape presentation of members’ pages on EAPN’s website

Work Programme – specific tasks Draft Communications Work Programme – specific tasks EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Methodology Linking advocacy and campaigning Lobbying tools availability, use and dissemination – evaluation of effectiveness Key EAPN events recorded/livestreamed EAPN material available at national events Highlight importance of dialogue with people exp. Poverty National networks relaying information on campaigning to their grassroots organisations Raising EAPN’s visiblity by developing branding activities/tools

Work Programme – specific tasks Draft Communications Work Programme – specific tasks EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Methodology Each member encouraged to have its own media database Use of style guides targeting media made by members

Work Programme – specific tasks Draft Communications Work Programme – specific tasks EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS Tools New resources for the website (video messages from Director, President, people exp. Poverty, mapping of current alliances, mapping of expertise on media relations) Campaign toolkit New EAPN brochure and/or other branding tool Mapping of tools addressing media

EAPN: Fighting for a Social Europe Free of Poverty EXCO Subgroup on Communications 20 avril 2012 EUROPEAN ANTI-POVERTY NETWORK RÉSEAU EUROPÉEN DES ASSOCIATIONS DE LUTTE CONTRE LA PAUVRETÉ ET L’EXCLUSION SOCIALE

EXCO Subgroup on COMMUNICATIONS - AGENDA 1. Our rapporteur 2. Tour de table > skills and what networks have been doing on comms 3. Finalise terms of reference > clarify role of subgroup > briefing note on subgroups 4. Prioritise actions, starting by what we've been doing 5. Ways of working together Methodology Tools

EXCO Subgroup on COMMUNICATIONS – Terms of Reference General (all subgroups) greater participation Use of expertise Meet internal and external objectives of EAPN strategic plan Propose task forces for specific work

EXCO Subgroup on COMMUNICATIONS – Terms of Reference Specific to Subgroup on Communications Oversee implementation of the communications strategy Identification of progresses, weaknesses, obstacles Evaluation of methodology and tools Bring up issues at EXCO level and alternative proposals for weaknesses (methodology and tools) Make sure communications strategy effectively supports strategic plan Liaise with task force on communications

EXCO Subgroup on COMMUNICATIONS – Actions Short-term calendar June 2012 - GA: programme to be confirmed, not sure about a slot on communications but within EXCO > short update on actions and timeline > If a workshop on communications (TBC), could then be on use of ICTs Sept 2012 - EXCO: finalisation work programme 2012-2014 => subgroup proposes a taskforce according to priorities defined by the work programme Oct 2012 - Task Force Meeting: last meeting of Comms Task Forceon implementation of work programme

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