Programme communication capacity

Modern communication tools, and the skills to use them well makes a huge difference in the effectiveness of communication campaigns. In a rapidly changing sector, Interact aims to support those working in Interreg with both the tools and the skills needed to communicate their programme achievements. Interact has also identified areas of interest, including free-to-use design tools, as well as the incoming game-changing generation of AI tools.

Good communication techniques are important not just for communication officers, but for everyone working in Interreg. From using plain language to be better understood, storytelling techniques to hook your audience and more.

The work under this theme is particularly achieved through the ICON (Interreg Communication Officers Networks) and focusses on topical trainings. Previous trainings from Interact have included Essentials of Graphic Design, effective Storytelling, using AI as well as how to write copy for journalists.

On top of these trainings, Interact offers both short courses and certified trainings through the Academy. In addition, the Commission organised INFORM EU network also a number of trainings, all of which can be found below. Of course, this work is part of a package of activities coordinated to support primarily communication officers, but also colleagues with other specialisms who also take on communication challenges. 

Where to start

Linked below are a series of trainings and resources which can support you. It is also strongly encouraged that the communication officers of every Interreg programme join ICON, the Interreg Communication Officers Network, where (among other things), the annual training is organised.

We also offer various certified trainings and short courses on key skills for communication officers in the Interact Academy.

What we are working on

The annual ICON meeting is planned for 25-26 February 2025 in Alicante, Spain, and will focus on how to turn programme data into engaging communication content. Participants will learn practical techniques for creating compelling stories, effective visuals, and messages that have impact. In addition, certified training courses for video making and storytelling will take place during the year. The description and registration link is available here: https://www.interact.eu/events/196 

At the Interreg Knowledge Fair, we exchanged on 'The ten elements that make a web story worth-reading', the report is available here.

Another event connecting Capitalisation and Communication (CAP COM) will take place beginning of June to give CBC programmes hints on how to address and implement capitalisation with the resources they have and tools available.

A webinar in April/May on 'How to write a good article?'. This session is addressed to IVY volunteers writing for the magazine 'Stories of European Cooperation' but it can be open for other participants upon request.  

A new toolkit, the Project Communication Toolkit is planned for late spring, to help programmes get their beneficiaries communication into shape quicker. Building on an exchange of practice from the Interreg Knowledge Fair in 2023, this toolkit collects best practices from a number of programmes, including the Interreg programme toolkit previously developed by Interact.

A new project will seek to build a significant collection of stock Interreg photography, combining high quality photos from programmes, along with AI generated photos covering key topics and common keywords in Interreg work. While all AI generated images will be clearly identified as generated by AI, the combined library will be offered to programmes royalty-free to support their work. 

Contact

For more information please contact Nebojsa Nikolic.

Want to exchange on this topic?

Interact offers an online space for those working in Interreg Communication and Visibility to share information and exchange. You can find out more about our MS Teams environment on our Networks page, and see all our networks in our Portal. 

If you would like to learn more about this, please contact Nebojsa Nikolic.