1. Emilia-Romagna Region
Networking for successful communication: past experience for the future Plan
Anna Maria Linsalata
Emilia-Romagna Region
Brussels 27 November 2007
Lessons learned, success and failures
how are you approaching the complex challenge of keeping together in a single communication plan many different themes; what is your strategy with respect to mass media; how do you intend to build "communication partnerships" with other institutional actors; are you carrying on ex ante evaluation of Structural Funds public awareness; how are you going to make use of your pre-accession experience in information and promotion for the communication of Structural Funds?

2. Past experience of networking in Emilia-Romagna Objective 2 2000-2006
Region Emilia-Romagna comprises 9 Provinces. In 2002 we decided to set up a network in order to:
manage the programme
implement effective communication
guarantee equal opportunities and widespread information throughout the region

3. Past experience Basic rules
One person should be nominated by the group to take the lead and to coordinate
Common agreeements on objectives and strategies - Team work
Effective participation of members – Both listening and speaking
Periodic meetings and frequent contacts – Both face-to-face and virtual communication

4. Past experience Strengths
Information on rules and practices widely spread
Ideas and experiences exchanged
Solution to problems discussed within the group
Feedback analysed
Strategies and results evaluated together: best practices and failures as well

5. Past experience Weaknesses
Provinces were not involved when the communication plan was drawn up
Communication not yet a widely spread competence inside public organizations
Little involvment of economic and social partners

6. Past experience Lessons learned
Need to involve partners in drawing up the communication plan
Sharing objectives, strategies and choices at the very beginning is a guarantee for effective future cooperation
The partnership cooperation is a day by day effort

7. Past experience Lessons learned
Speaking together is a very good way of finding out new ideas and being creative
Always keeping in mind your target groups and the people you would like to speak with
Recognising the importance of the experience exchange beyond your own context: national meetings, European meetings (SFIT- Inform), Twinning projects

8. ERDF Operational Programme What Emilia-Romagna is doing now
Interactive workshop – GOPP Goal Oriented Project Planning - organized in May 2007 in order to start involving stakeholders
In order to involve partners it is essential to focus on the advantages they may derive from collaborating with you, otherwise the partnership won’t be effective
We started:
speaking about present problems
finding possible solutions
thus defining main objectives for the future plan

9. What Emilia-Romagna is doing now
Discussing the communication plan not only with representatives of the Provinces but also with economic and social partners
Widening the network of partners involved in drawing up and managing the communication plan
Analysing in detail target needs and expectations
Setting up a closer cooperation with other programmes, i.e. ESF operational programme

10. What Emilia-Romagna is doing now
Continuing with a regional network and collaborating with National and European partners

11. Thanks for your attention
Hopefully we will keep in touch and…
Work together
Anna Maria Linsalata tel