Search

ASSET forms a Community of Practice to better manage its communication flows and outreach

ASSET being a huge collaborative project implemented by 27 partners, it is important that efficient and effective internal and external communication flows are ensured to better contribute to the project’s objectives. The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) – leader of Sub-Component 1.3 of the project formed a Community of Practice (CoP) on Communication (Com) earlier in 2021. The CoP includes focal points from all 27 partners to regularly discuss upcoming communication activities, needs and opportunities, and ensure an efficient way forward in presenting ASSET and its results to external audiences. This initiative is envisioned to also support, and integrate communication progress throughout the project duration and beyond.

An overview on importance of ASSET COM CoP

 

Objectives of the CoP

The ASSET COM aims to:

  1. Solicit the inputs of each partner organization into the project’s Communication and Visibility Strategy
  2. Provide a link between technical staff of partner organizations and implementation of the communication sub-component
  3. Ensure that communication and visibility is embedded in each sub-component and key activity of ASSET
  4. Discuss and create opportunities for capacity development in communication
  5. Assist in harvesting success stories and other knowledge outputs at the local level
  6. Assist in feeding the project information to the local level
  7. Provide inputs to the ASSET newsletter
  8. Provide information and photos to press releases, especially for locally-initiated and implemented activities
  9. Ensure linkages for Social Media shared content and other tools.

Infrastructure and Communication Tools

Microsoft Teams will be used as the primary communication channel with the CoP. Trello, SharePoint and chat features in the Teams are being used to communicate and share files with the CoP.

Engaging the CoP in ASSET activities

An internal exercise with the Communication was conducted to understand the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) with regards to communication practices in the partners’ organizations. Objectives of this stocktaking exercise were to get:

  1. inputs and insights from the project partners on what existing communication tools and processes the Communication and Visibility Strategy can build on, including SWOT to keep important risks in mind in the strategy design and implementation process;
  2. know the project partners better and understand their views on what should be included in the strategy as a bottomup approach, as a way of galvanizing their commitment and ownership for joint effort to ensure the effectiveness of ASSET communication work; and
  3. understanding the communication needs and context of the project partners.

Consequently, a communication and visibility strategy for external communication of the project was developed. APAARI also developed the branding document containing the general instructions on using the ASSET logo and various templates including PowerPoint, letterhead, reports, documents, business cards, and leaflets for the project in line with the donors’ requirements.

In the coming quarters of the project, CoP networking events will be organized and the communication and visibility strategy will be implemented with support of the COM CoP.