The Social Media in CBC Programmes – Results from the INTERACT Seminar in Vienna (25/26 May 2009) Dorothee Fischer, Communication and Project Development Officer, IP Valencia 16 June 2009 | Bruxelles, Belgium

INTERACT PROGRAMME: OBJECTIVES INTERACT Objectives  to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of European Territorial Cooperation Programmes  to act as an exchange platform  to share expertise and experience  to build up capacities among INTERREG and network programmes (URBACT, INTERREG IVC, ESPON)  to create a community of actors involved in European Territorial Cooperation (MAs, JTSs, hosting authorities, certifying authorities, audit authorities, Monitoring and Steering Committees….)

INTERACT PROGRAMME: MAP Regional focus approach IP Valencia IPs Turku (FI), Viborg (DK) Vienna (A) INTERACT Secretariat Bratislava (SK)

EVENT IN VIENNA Networking and Learning Event for CBC Communication Officers, Vienna, 25/26 May 2009  30 participants from the “IP Valencia, Vienna and Viborg zones”  aim: to get to know each other, analyse the programme’s needs with respect to their communication activities and learn and exchange on media strategy issues  mixture of interactive discussions and experts’ input  online/social media no main focus, but a recurring element in the presentations and discussions  also identified as need to intensify trainings and workshops on the Topic

RESULTS OF THE MAIN DISCUSSIONS Digital divide  Some programmes very advanced: they have very elaborate websites, use videos, blogs, know all the tools  for others this is a complete new jungle and often they do not even possess a real website, nor have designated a communication officer full-time (so, also a question of time- constraint!)

RESULTS OF THE MAIN DISCUSSIONS Fast-changing world  Online media becoming more popular than traditional media with new websites and tools emerging every week  It is difficult to keep track of all the new tools available (information overkill!)  Some tools turn out to be “bubbles”: - Second Life - some social networks are rather regional…

INTERACT AND SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE TOOLS How the INTERACT Programme is using web 2.0 tools

INTERACT AND SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE TOOLS How the INTERACT Programme is using web 2.0 tools

INTERACT AND SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE TOOLS How the INTERACT Programme is using web 2.0 tools

INTERREG GENERAL SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE TOOLS More general online tools

INTERREG GENERAL SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE TOOLS More general online tools

POSSIBLE TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE Possible tools for the future: Digg

POSSIBLE TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE Possible tools for the future: Blogs

POSSIBLE TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE Possible tools for the future: Technorati

POSSIBLE TOOLS FOR THE FUTURE Possible tools for the future: Micro-blog: Twitter

MAIN MESSAGES/DEBATES Main messages/Debates  Waste of time and money vs. time and money saved (e.g. in comparison with publications; tools are for free…)  Don’t forget who your target audiences are (new media can help To reach general public, but may be useless with politicians!)  Don’t forget what your message is and make use of your projects/ human interest stories/success stories  Don’t follow all the “trends”  Although tools are easily available, make sure you guarantee a mininum standard (e.g. broadcasting quality, photos)

MAIN MESSAGES/DEBATES Lesson learned An online strategy should be part of your overall communication strategy and communication plan!!

“New Tool”: Flutter Thank you!