1. Results of the survey on social media

2. Use of social media in EDIC’s activities
When did you start using a social media in relation to activities of your EDIC?
Main findings
Very recent trend in the EDIC’s Network: 70% of the respondents started using the social media as from 2009.
Only 12% have an experience longer than 3 years.

3. Typology of media used by EDICs

4. Most frequently used social media
Which one of the social media is the most regularly used by your EDIC?
Main findings
Facebook: by far the most frequently used tool by EDICs (54%).
Youtube (13%), blogs (8%) and RSS technology and web feeds (7%) are the alternative tools used by EDICs.

5. Frequency of use of the social media

6. Main reasons for the use of social media
Which are the main reasons that your EDIC uses social media?
Main findings
86% : raising awareness / promoting the EDIC’s activities
65% : disseminating information on EU activities
43% : reaching additional/wider groups
18% : proactive communication with its target groups
11% : using social media in cooperation with other EDICs

7. Typology of information disseminated

8. Interactive features including cooperation
Interactivity of the EDIC’s websites
Interactive features of EDIC’s websites
Online forms to enable citizens to submit information requests (the most frequently reported feature)
Possibilities to register for events
Possibilities to order information material online
Consultations on topics of interest for citizens
Feedback form on EDIC’s events/services 
Possibilities to post comments on articles/blogs

9. Interactive features including cooperation
Cooperation with other EDICs
Cooperation activities
information on activities/events of EDICs located in the same country including adding EDICs as friends
collective Facebook pages
co-management of blogs
assistance to other members of the national network
common creation of content for different tools
cooperation with other EU Networks at local level

10. Promotion of social media tools
Main findings
49% directly from their EDIC website
45% through information on printed materials of the EDIC
44% during events organized by the EDIC
but also 42% through the use of local/regional written media.

11. Level of knowledge
Facebook - the only tool which EDICs have an average or good knowledge: 37% report a good level of knowledge, 28% an average level, 21% a weak level 14% do not know how to use Facebook. Other tools - poor level of knowledge for the majority of the EDICs

12. Learning experience Main findings
Self-learning process for the majority of the users (86%) and/or through exchanges with other users (40%).
Complementary impact of trainings provided by the Host Structure, DG COMM and the EC Representation at a smaller extent.

13. Main opportunities in the use of social media
Direct contacts and interactions with target groups
Possibilities to reach wider audiences
Possibilities to connect and communicate with youth
Saving time
Saving money
Better promotion of events (with lower costs) leading to more participants to EDIC’s events
Cooperation/connections with other members of the Network
Possibilities to reach remote parts of the country
Quicker dissemination of information
No intermediaries (as it happens with traditional media)

14. Main constraints in the use of social media
Lack of time
Lack of knowledge
Policy of Host Structures to restrict/ban the use of social media (Facebook) during working hours
Time constraints to ensure a regular/professional moderation
Constraints of the technical equipment/infrastructure
Lack of coordination between EDIC’s members
Absence of control on the comments of the users.