For a full breakdown of the different types of tools, products and channels and an overview of which are generally required, recommended and optional, see the matrix in section 7.5.

Situation Reports: These are generally short documents that cover the food security situation and either ongoing response or the immediate coverage of a crisis. They are succinct, containing key figures, a map of food insecurity and the crisis affecting the area, a dashboard of response and analysis activities and relatively little text. For a crisis, situation reports should be updated weekly to start, then this can be reduced as the situation improves (hopefully). For general situation reports, updates every 3 months are requested. See also 5.15.3 on key reporting and communications products and tools.

It is recommended to contact the Global Support Team (GST) Communications Team (FSCcommunications@fscluster.org) for guidance and templates. The Communications Team can provide editing support as well as design and layout if the country cluster has not produced one before and/or is considering a redesign. 

Newsletters and Bulletins: All newsletters produced by the FSC in the field should follow gFSC messaging and branding guidelines – and it is recommended to follow the gFSC newsletter template and guidance (contact the GST Communications Team). In general they should be targeted to: 

• Profile the progress, achievements and coordination of activities implemented by FSC partners, as well as outstanding needs. 
• Increase visibility of successes and needs to resource partners. 

FSC stories which appear in any newsletter could also appear in the gFSC newsletter/digest. If targeted communications to resource partners are required, content and highlights can be sourced from the gFSC Digest and newsletter, and from FSC partner newsletters at country level, as appropriate.

In line with gFSC recommendations, newsletters are increasingly used by country FSCs, replacing bulletins as the key tool to communicate key updates. 

Previously, quarterly bulletins (contact the GST Communications Team for template and guidance) were used to: 1) inform readers of latest news from the cluster, 2) increase participation in FSC initiatives and events, and 3) increase dialogue around the FSC.  Bulletins would include:

• Key facts and figures (beneficiaries reached by objective).
• An overview of the food security situation and response, and,
• Focus on relevant FSC topics (preparedness, upcoming events, lessons learned and trainings etc).

Newsletters are the gFSC recommended format to use at country level however, the important point is that key FSC updates, regularly, are communicated in a clear format that proscribes to the gFSC Style Guide. See also 5.15.3.

Factsheets: Country FSCs are encouraged to produce factsheets, for example “FSC and food security in [Country]”. These two/four-pagers should highlight leveraging of multi-donor partnerships, give an overview of activities implemented, and showcase impact. Content could include projects, sectoral priorities, key figures, areas of focus, success stories and recognition of financial and global partners. Factsheets should be printed and/or online, shared with existing and potential resource and global partners (and other clusters and countries as appropriate), and updated at least annually. 

Stories from the Field: Field stories can be captured in text, audio (radio), video and photography. They are one of the most important platforms in terms of advocacy and raising visibility of the cluster’s work on the ground. gFSC stories from the field will generally focus on: 

• Reporting food security operations, particularly inter-cluster or inter-sectoral initiatives
• Interviews with beneficiaries/partners to showcase the impact of FSC work
• A “day in the life” interviews with CCs and IMOs.

The gFSC can request stories from country clusters, on an ad-hoc basis, for example if a specific programme has been very successful or high profile – or country FSCs can submit them themselves and the gFSC will assist with editing, layout and dissemination. Contact the GST Communications Team for guidance and templates.  

Photos: The gFSC maintains an archive of photos from the field where images of beneficiaries and activities are sourced from country clusters and used wherever possible (factsheets, brochures, social, web, etc.). Photographs and captions tell a compelling story of the FSC’s impact in the field, so country FSCs are encouraged to work with the GST Communications Team to publish photo stories online. For this purpose, all FSC members in the field and on mission are encouraged to document activities implemented through high quality photos – taking care to share images that promote increased gender balance, animal welfare and occupational safety where appropriate (contact the GST Communications Team for guidance on Photography from the field as well as for photo release forms).

Advocacy Notes: Advocacy notes are produced to raise awareness on matters of urgent concern (funding shortfalls, sudden floods, IPC releases, etc.). They are commonly prepared by the Coordinators and are reviewed and approved first by the SAG and then by CLA management at country level. The GST (regional desk, advocacy and communication officer) can review and provide guidance if requested by the Coordinator. In rare cases, if the content is very sensitive, they may need further clearance from HQ prior to distribution. Contact the GST Communications Team for details. See more on advocacy in 7.4 and 8.2.2.  

Calendar of Events: Where relevant, and pending resources available, it is recommended that country FSCs develop a calendar of events to assist in identifying opportunities for promotion and dissemination of events, activities and products. 

Media Outreach: Engaging with the media about FSC activities can be useful at country level however, the level of a Coordinator’s media outreach will vary depending on the preference of the CLAs (FAO and WFP commonly have dedicated communications and advocacy staff who manage all media relations). It is important for the FSC Coordinator to agree with both CLAs on how to engage with the media, if at all (especially in conflict affected countries and/or politically sensitive situations).  

Visibility Material: FSC visibility materials should be created and/or updated and ordered as relevant. Field material such as FSC caps, vests, pens, notepads can be requested through the gFSC or produced at country level, whereas more country specific materials are arranged by the FSC team locally (usually through either FAO or WFP procurement), including: 

• A new FSC roll-up banner and poster to be available in English, followed by other languages as appropriate. These should be displayed in country offices and during events. 
• Print and design files will be available on request from gFSC. 
• When the need for an event, project or country-specific poster or roll-up banner arises, support should be sought from country CLA colleagues. 

Logos: If relevant, guidance on the use of partner logos should be sought from the specific partner in question. For FAO through the intranet via Office for Corporate Communications, FAO Logo section, or via email to logo@fao.org, and for WFP consulted here. Country FSCs can contact the GST Communications Team for guidance. 

E-cards: E-cards are used both at global and country level. Drafted with very little text, focused on an image or graphic pertaining to an event/publication/announcement and linking to an online webpage. They are sent to global or national partners and subscribers to raise awareness of the FSC’s work in key areas, ahead of, during and after the event/announcement/call for funding, etc. For country FSCs, an e-card can offer a quick solution to sharing key highlights, results of a workshop, etc. Contact the GST Communications Team for guidance.

Global FSC Website: The global FSC website is the primary channel for increasing visibility by sharing the latest publications, highlights and key messages. Online presence on the FSC and partner webpages/websites is a key tool for targeting messages and engaging country partners. Features of the global FSC website include: 

• A global impression of FSC activities across regions and countries, cross-linking to partner webpages, where possible. 
• General information: introduction to FSC areas of work, programmes and relevant resource partnerships. 
• Key achievements and impact figures, including response and trainings. 
• Success stories, news, publications and multimedia about FSC activities. 

Country FSCs (Coordinator and IMOs) will lead on sharing their activities, so that the latest FSC information and news can be aggregated and shared through regional and global partner webpages, technical networks and websites.

Country FSC Websites: See 5.15.3 for more on the country FSC website and the role of the Coordinator.

Social media: Social media updates are facilitated through the GST Communications Team, who manages the FSC Twitter and FSC LinkedIn accounts. However, the Coordinator should keep the following in mind: 

• Country clusters should regularly feed the GST content on activities and impacts for dissemination on Twitter and LinkedIn, including IM material (dashboards, gap analyses, etc.). A shared editorial calendar for social messages has been developed to facilitate country cluster inputs – contact the GST Communications Team for details. 
• Visibility of partners should be raised through tagging and targeted messaging. The GST can support with Social Media Packages and dashboards to share with partners to amplify key messages.
• Global partners should also be tagged for further dissemination as appropriate. 
• Sharing of output from official partner accounts is encouraged.