Press release
The first manual on developing a communication strategy for local governments in Ukraine
This manual describes the key elements of a communication strategy, from conducting an audit to planning a system for monitoring and evaluating results. It also contains practical tools to help communities in this process and an example of an actual communication strategy.
On Wednesday, September 18, Internews Ukraine presented the first manual on developing a communication strategy for local governments in Ukraine. It was created with the support of the USAID HOVERLA Activity.
185 participants from across Ukraine attended the online presentation of the manual. They included representatives from local governments, communications specialists, and journalists.
Diana Ishchenko, creative director for Internews Ukraine, along with communications expert Diana Ihnatenko, presented the manual.
"We developed this manual to help communities organize communication processes more effectively. Step-by-step instructions, 15 practical templates, and an example of a ready-made communication strategy for one of the communities — all these tools are designed to facilitate the process of strategizing for local governments," explained Ishchenko.
In addition to describing the structure of the manual, the experts also shared practical advice for professionals involved in the development and implementation of communication strategies in Ukrainian communities:
- Eliminate the extra: focus on the key things to help achieve community development goals.
- Plan activities under the priorities identified in the strategy.
- Use the strategy to guide decisions about the feasibility of communication initiatives.
- Review and update the strategy regularly.
- Get everyone on the team on the same page: make presentations, train, and explain.
"I am grateful to USAID HOVERLA Activity and Internews Ukraine. I came out with many memorable lessons, and am already applying them I'm going to share my knowledge with the world," said Anna Herych, press service advisor to the head of the Lviv Region Council.
"I am very grateful for the work done and the manual provided. It is a great help to our communication professionals' work. Now, all the participants of the presentation know that they are not alone in their daily routines, since they have the manual to rely on as an effective advisor. This is extremely valuable!" said Nataliia Yankovchuk, Head of the Internal Policy and Public Relations Department of the Koziatyn City Council.
Download e-copy of the manual in Ukrainian
This event was conducted by Internews Ukraine within the "Communications Strategies for CTCs" project and was made possible by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the generous support of the American people through the USAID HOVERLA Activity. The contents of this event do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.