IFAD’s regional communication strategy for Western and Central Africa

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Developing the strategy Needs assessment and definition of objectives Sources: Western and Central Africa regional strategy, interviews with staff of WCA and Communication Divisions Development of draft one of strategy Presentation to key stakeholders in the region Review process based on the inputs received Development of a revised draft strategy Clearance process and approval Implementation - Preparation of medium-term communication plans - Integration into annual work programme and budget

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Goal Enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the region’s poverty eradication programmes and projects through communication

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Objectives 1.Strengthen the capacity of rural poor people to communicate 2.Ensure advocacy and policy dialogue 3.Build and strengthen through learning and sharing a community of practice among local, national, regional partners and IFAD 4.Ensure through enhanced internal communication that IFAD staff members, project management units and partners have the information they need to work effectively 5.Build strong partnerships with local and regional media and increase their understanding of rural poverty issues

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Objective 1: Communication for development Output: Communication activities undertaken within all projects and programmes and tools produced Possible activities: Integrate communication for development objectives and activities into new programmes and projects Pilot new approaches to communication for development that improve impact, ownership and sustainability Strengthen the capacity of rural poor people to communicate

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Objective 2: Advocacy and policy dialogue Ensure advocacy and policy dialogue Output: Advocacy materials (policy briefs and studies) prepared and circulated Possible activities: Generate policy communication vehicles and circulate global communication products Initiate and participate in special events for advocacy and policy dialogue

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Objective 3: Knowledge management Output: Knowledge activities and tools developed Possible activities:  Integrate knowledge management and learning objectives and activities into all programmes and projects and liaise with FIDAfrique  Identify innovative projects early and implement plans to capture evidence of lessons (stories, photos, video) over time to enable effective communication in support of replication and scaling up Build and strengthen through learning and sharing a community of practice among local, national, regional partners and IFAD

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Objective 4: Internal communication Output: Internal communication activities and tools developed Possible activities: Feed internal communication vehicles Organize learning routes (field trips) for Executive Board directors, senior management and other IFAD staff Ensure through enhanced internal communication that IFAD staff members, project management units and partners have the information they need to work effectively

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Objective 5: Profile and awareness Output: Media partnerships established Possible activities: Conduct research and preparatory work to lay foundations for media relations (developing media databases, networks, contacts and proposed partnerships) Develop media partnerships that focus media coverage on rural poverty issues and solutions Build strong partnerships with local and regional media and increase their understanding of rural poverty issues

Farmers’ organizations, policies and markets Workshop participant inputs What are your communication needs and priorities? What are concrete ways to link the communication strategy with FIDAfrique?