EAPN’s General Assembly 2010 Building an EAPN Communication Strategy

Workshop on communication: Objectives Give an update on EAPN’s communication work Get together to talk and exchange about the topic of communication = communicate on how we communicate and get to know each other! Discuss on how to build a communication strategy for EAPN, as stated in the strategic plan (2007-2011)

Workshop on communication: Steps 1) Presentation part (15-20mn) 2) Exchange session (40 mn) 3) Discuss practical steps in EAPN’s communication work ... towards a communication strategy (15-20 mn)

Workshop on communication: Steps Presentation part State of Play on EAPN’s communication work Building a communication strategy for EAPN: why and how? Present EAPN’s current communication tools and practices, at internal and external levels

Workshop on communication 1st in a long time workshop on communication Opportunity to get together, get to know each other and exchange practical steps for the building of a communication strategy

State of Play on EAPN’s Communication Work - What is EAPN? EAPN was established in 1990 as an independent coalition of NGOs involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion in the EU. EAPN’s membership is built on National Anti-Poverty Networks and European Organisations concerned with the fight against poverty and social exclusion. At present: members are 27 National Networks and 23 European Organisations who are members of EAPN. Variety of activities aimed at combating poverty and social exclusion including, education and training activities, service provision and activities aimed at the participation and empowerment of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

State of Play on EAPN’s Communication Work - build on the Strategic Plan The strategic plan aims at giving a coherent common identity and purpose for EAPN in order to reinforce the effectiveness of the work of EAPN. The communication strategy of EAPN needs to be in line with the strategic plan

Process of Evaluation (2009-2011) feeds into next strategic plan State of Play on EAPN’s Communication Work - build on the Strategic Plan Strategic Plan 2008-2011 Next Strategic Plan 2012-2015 Process of Evaluation (2009-2011) feeds into next strategic plan

State of Play on EAPN’s Communication Work - build on the Strategic Plan Process of Evaluation (2009-2011) feeds into next strategic plan In 2009, evaluation process focused on: Participation / ownership of EAPN’s networks Engaging EAPN’s networks in policy meetings In 2010, evaluation process focuses on: Effective lobbying How well EAPN is communicating, internally and externally

=> build a Communication strategy State of Play on EAPN’s Communication Work - build on the Strategic Plan In Strategic Plan (2008-2011) EAPN has formally decided to improve its communication work in strategic planning In evaluation process => build a Communication strategy

What is a communication strategy? State of Play on EAPN’s Communication Work - Building a Communication strategy What is a communication strategy? It is a set of common tools and practices that: articulates, explains and promotes a vision and a set of well-defined goals. creates a consistent, unified “voice” that links diverse activities and goals in a way that appeals to your partners or stakeholders.

Strategic Communication State of Play on EAPN’s Communication Work - Building a Communication strategy Strategic Communication Who am I speaking to ? For what reason? what is the take away message ? delivered through which channels? measure effect?

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices New EAPN’s Website ! Please check your page regularly Copy/paste the page on a word document and send update to team@eapn.eu

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices EAPN’s FLASH newsletter (every 2 weeks) ! Please send relevant information at any time 3 rules: 5-7 lines in English or French Add a link to a website Add a picture if you have any

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices EAPN’s MAGAZINE (every 4 months) Old version: Networks’ News (every 3months) New version: EAPNAnti-PovertyMAG (every 4 months) and new layout since 2009

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices New WORD template for National Members to adapt the Anti-Poverty MAG 1) Texts sent in EN (or FR if you prefer) 2) once English version of the MAG is ready, you will be sent the template with frontpage and backcover prepared with text boxes for titles - background pictures will be inserted by EAPN 3) Just send back the WORD document without pictures (too heavy) – they will be inserted by EAPN Fully-functional PDF (= active weblinks) will be made by EAPN and put on line

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices EAPN’s books

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices EAPN’s policy papers and reports

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices New templates for policy papers/reports Policy briefs Briefing notes Reports Policy papers

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices Press work Better database: updated + better focused thanks to national networks. Please continue! Media guide (2005, updated end of 2009 for EY 2010) = tips to work with the media Visibility on the website: Press Room divided into EAPN’s press releases and EAPN in the Press

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices Social Media Facebook pages Picasa photo album To view: http://picasaweb.google.com/EAPNpictures To post: Ask for login and password MySpace + DailyMotion + Youtube - to share videos

State of Play – EAPN’s current tools and practices Facebook page of EAPN (‘’EAPN – European Anti Poverty Network’’) http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/EAPN-European-Anti-Poverty-Network/51278044814 Facebook page of the 2010 Coalition of social NGOs (‘’ 2010 Coalition of social NGOs’’) http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/2010-Coalition-of-Social-NGOs/339138806094 Facebook page of the Minimum Income Campaign (‘’Minimum Income Campaign’’) -

Workshop on communication: Steps 2) Exchange session Are we effectively communicating internally? What is working well? What needs to evolve? Are we effectively communicating externally?

Workshop on communication: Steps 3) Discussion on practical steps to improve EAPN’s communication work and towards a communication strategy Presentation of proposal and timeline Discussion

Workshop on communication: Steps towards communication strategy June 2010 EAPN’s GA: presentation of state of play and discussion What next? IN GENERAL: Find a way to communicate better as we can’t meet Mailing list? Members’ room space? Newpractices/habits?

Drafting EAPN’s communication strategy Previous evaluation: QUESTIONNAIRE Draft: July-August Launch: 15 Sept Reception of answers: 15 Oct Analysis: 15 Dec => feed EAPN’s meeting on strategic plan early 2011