DRP Overview October UNDP/GEF DANUBE REGIONAL PROJECT Paul Csagoly UNDP-GEF DRP Communiocation Expert IW Learn Workshop Vienna, January 19, 2006 From the start! Communicating strategically

DRP Overview October In the beginning… WWF commissioned for Comms Strategy in 2002 ‘Living document’ Focus on how to: –use comms as a project tool –communicate what DRP is and does – why?...

DRP Overview October It’s a complex project! technical sub-projects 130 grants 13 countries Danube impacts on Black Sea Link with larger WB project Many partners and players Need comms to simplify!

DRP Overview October Communicate 6 key DRP project goals Brochure for China GEF conference forced quick thinking, clear messages 1.reduce nutrient pollution 2.reduce toxic pollution 3.improve water services 4.strengthen agro policy 5.provide RBM tools 6.protect wetlands

DRP Overview October Desired Outcomes 1: Increased stakeholder awareness of DRP, six key goals and activities 2: Focus on one goal - reducing nutrient pollution from agriculture

DRP Overview October Desired Outcomes 3: Increased public awareness about big picture –What’s a basin, nutrients, ICPDR, WFD? 4: Internal communications support for select DRP projects

DRP Overview October Other strategy parts Target audiences Main messages Delivery mechanisms (products and activities) Monitoring and Evaluation

DRP Overview October Communicating the DRP - basic products Visual identity and strapline Brochures Website Presentation 1000s of photos!

DRP Overview October Results: ICPDR-related Danube Watch (design and stories) Danube Day and art competition Raise awareness of Danube issues, solutions and ICPDR Funding ICPDR publications, materials Capacity-building Media support (press releases)

DRP Overview October NGO support Enhances NGO projects Strategic help –DEF campaigns (local, international) –Regional grants Other DEF support –Visual identity, branding –Media support (press releases) –Funding publications

DRP Overview October Agriculture and pollution Farmers, NGO grants, federal agro ministries Early reports – thick, technical, not widely disseminated –Identify ‘news/tools’ (new information, recommendations, partnerships) –Re-package and disseminate (Fact Sheets, stories, Danube Watch, media) –Encourage maximum use and application Now –Communications Strategy –Media support –Disseminate news/tools

DRP Overview October Tariffs and charges Help municipalities improve wastewater treatment Work with project manager Strategy targets utility managers Ensure maximum dissemination, awareness, use of results/tools “We know your needs, here’s how we can help”

DRP Overview October Main Lesson: Take comms seriously Sub-projects comms -- not seen as key project tool from start. Not strategically planned, budgeted, resourced enough. –Reactive –Poster, brochure, 1 workshop enough? –National newspaper story? –Poor dissemination, awareness, and use of results/tools

DRP Overview October Main Lesson Getting project managers to strategize –What does it mean? –Believe they already do it –Think it’s extra work

DRP Overview October Main Lesson Explain, convince, train, apply Complex and time-consuming process Hard to transfer in 2 hours to large group with various backgrounds and different languages Human contact, small group, ample time! IW Learn mobile trainers enhance manual?

DRP Overview October More Lessons Multi-country basin needs organized network of implementers to deliver consistent messages Hard to spark interest about nutrient pollution – sounds ‘nutritious’. Link to issues like drinking water, flood prevention, EU law