FRESHLY PRINTED!

The idea of providing practical guidance on communication for governance structures of the EUSAIR Strategy was first brought up during the Conference on EU Macro-regional Strategies, Media and Communication held in September 2017 in Slovenia.

Due to the complexity of the EUSAIR Strategy and its context - specific nature lacking immediate results, the institutions working in the framework of the EUSAIR are facing severe challenges in promoting the aims, added value and achievements of the Strategy. That is the case not only when trying to pass on the message to the media or wider public, but also internally, in the daily work of the actors directly involved in the management and implementation of the EUSAIR Strategy, primarily the Governing Board members, the National Coordinators, the Thematic Steering Group members, and the EUSAIR Facility Point partners, as well as Ministers and Ministries from the eight participating countries, relevant EU institutions and other governance actors.

The present Communication manual is dedicated to all of us – sitting in the driving seat of the Strategy – to support us in developing and executing a wide range of communication activities. The manual is part of the effort to improve our understanding of what communication is all about, what is its potential in the context of the EUSAIR and to better define our role and responsibility in the macro-regional communication process.

The manual builds on the experience gained since the Strategy’s inception and knowledge acquired through two capacity building events, accompanied by the expertise delivered at the aforementioned conference. The structure of the manual is as follows:
• Section 1 introduces the topic of communication in the context of the EUSAIR;
• Section 2 focuses on the key elements of successful communication;
• Finally, section 3 provides an overview of communication channels and tools, focusing on relationships with the media.

Each section contains guiding questions which encourage the reader to reflect on the text and explore their own ideas about the topic. The notes taken would serve as a source of reference for future capacity building activities on EUSAIR macro-regional communication.

We expect that over time the manual will be complemented by valuable know-how, innovative approaches and concrete cases.

We take this opportunity to invite stakeholders active in the other three macro-regions to join us in the endeavour to make macro-regional communication not only a mere collection of individual practices, but a functional and inspirational reality.

Download the brochure here or ask for a copy at eusiar.point.svrk@gov.si

The EUSAIR Facility Point Lead Partner Team