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    7.5 Key FSC Advocacy and Communications Products and Channels
    • 15 Dec 2023
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    7.5 Key FSC Advocacy and Communications Products and Channels

    • Updated on 15 Dec 2023
    • 5 Minutes to read
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    Article summary

    Below is an overview of the main tools that country Clusters should use, depending on the planned output (to be adapted/amended by the FSC Coordinator as appropriate according to the context). 

    Some of these are commonly produced by all country FSCs (i.e., all “required”, as well as some “recommended” products, which will depend on the context requirements) whereas others may not be relevant or possible in terms of financial/human resources (i.e., “optional” and again, some of the “recommended” products depending on the situation).

    The Coordinator should ensure that a clear approval process is agreed with the CLAs and that there is a common understanding of which FSC products must be cleared at CLA level (see also 3.5.1).

    Requirement
    		Output / Products
    		Target
    		Audience
    		Outcome
    		Person In Charge

    Recommended (by FSC) 
    Required 
    (by OCHA)

    Situation reports

    FSC Sitrep: Produced and updated on food security situation and FSC activities in country. See 7.2.2 and 5.15.3.

    OCHA Sitrep: for details on the OCHA sitrep, see 5.15.3.    		Updated at least every 3 months, more often at onset of crisis (daily/weekly)

    		Partners, internal communications networks, donorsBetter monitoring of situations in countries; also useful for new incoming CCs/IMOs.Coordinator with IMO support.

    Recommended

    Factsheets

    Produced regularly to showcase FSC activities/risk situations in the country/call for funds, etc.
    4 per year (i.e. 4 of either factsheets, newsletters, bulletins    sitreps or stories from the field).    		Partners, donors, social media, national authoritiesRaised awareness on FSC’s activities.Coordinator

    Newsletters (Bulletins)

    Roundup published on FSC’s work, including updates on programmes/projects, events and success stories, etc. See also 5.15.3.    		Donors, national authorities, partners and FSC staffRaised awareness on FSC’s work.Coordinator with IMO support.

    Stories from the field

    • Reporting FSC operations. 
    • Interviews with beneficiaries/partners to showcase impact of FSC work. 
    • Format: photo/video/text/radio. 
    • For CCs/IMOs: A-day-in-the-life interviews.
    		Donors, national authorities, partners and general publicField stories uploaded to the website, disseminated through partners.Coordinator
    Recommended

    Advocacy notes

    • To be drafted in discussion with senior CLA management at country/regional level, depending on sensitivity. 
    • May need further clearance from HQ prior to distribution: gFSC to advise.
    		It is recommended to do minimum 1 per year (or as per the context requirement).National authorities, partners, donors, general publicFSC voice in matters of urgent concern, unity of messaging among partners displayed.Coordinator
    Required

    IM material

    • Post dashboards, gap analyses, partner activity maps, etc. on website.
    • Recommended: Repurpose for e-cards, newsletter, social media. 
    See the FSC IM Handbook/Toolbox SC IM Handbook/Toolbox.    		Monthly (or quarterly, as per context).Partners, donors, decision-makersBroader outreach of technical material.IMO
    Optional

    E-cards

    Sent to global partners and subscribers to announce FSC’s latest activity/product.

    To accompany event/ announcement/

    call for funding, etc.    		Donors, national authorities, partners and general publicRaised awareness of FSC’s work in key areas.Coordinator with IMO support.
    PLATFORMS (WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA)
    Required

    gFSC website

    • Upload documents when produced and cleared (as relevant)
    • Update country Cluster’s page on the gFSC website (https://fscluster.org/)
    See also 5.15.3.    		Consistently – minimum 4 per year.
    		Partners, donors, general public
    		Increase visibility of FSC work and monitor activities of the Cluster.
    		IMO with Coordinator support.
    Recommended

    Social media

    Provide content for gFSC social media networks (Twitter, LinkedIn) on activities and products
    		Consistently.
    		General public, media
    		Raised visibility.
    		IMO with Coordinator support.
    Recommended

    gFSC email dissemination

    Provide any publications or invitations to events/webinars etc. for gFSC dissemination through info@fscluster.org.
    		Consistently.
    		FSC staff, partners, donors, subscribers
    		Increased awareness on products and events, broader participation.
    		IMO
    DONOR/PARTNER EVENTS
    Recommended  

    Roundtable meetings

    Round table meetings with key actors such as donors, government are organized (and minutes/reports shared)

    See also chapter 8 on resource mobilisation.
    		Once a year (or as required by context).
    		Partners, donors, decision-makers
    		Resource mobilisation through increased awareness of FSC’s work and discussion on further needs to be filled.
    		Coordinator
    Recommended
    		E-cards: Sent before and after, to raise awareness and disseminate products/communicate on outcomes
    		As relevant.
    		Donors, partners, internal audience
    		Increase participation in discussions.
    		IMO with Coordinator support.
    Optional
    		Photo and video missions to the field: Organized for donors to highlight FSC’s and FSC partners’ work in the field.
    		As relevant.
    		Donors, national authorities, partner, general public, media
    		Coverage of FSC’s work and impact on the ground. Beneficiaries and FSC in action photo archive created for web stories, social media (Twitter, Instagram) and the FAO , WFP and partner photo archives.
    		Coordinator with IMO support (see point on media relations below).
    Optional
    		Calendar of events: Created to assist gFSC and country cluster’s communications planning and preparation.
    		Ongoing.
    		Programme and project staff
    		Calendar of programme and project events.
    		IMO
    PRESS EVENTS/MEDIA RELATIONS

    For Information 
    (Optional)

    		Media advisory: Written in advance to announce event/distribution /funding/release of report, etc.

    This is for information only. See “person in charge”.    		Media
    		Increase media attention on FSC-related topics.

    Media relations are often handled directly by dedicated CLA Comms Officers. Coordinators should discuss the preferred approach with CLAs prior to engaging with media.
    Key messages: Prepared as needed - speaking points, potential Q&As and tricky/contentious topics to avoid for media spokespeople.
    		Media
    		Internal databank of talking points prepared and regularly updated for use when delivering public messages.
    Media interviews: Organized ahead of time for special events. Can be written, radio/podcast, video, etc.
    		Media
    		Improve media relations and therefore visibility.
    Spokespeople and technical experts identified for future interviews at events.
    		Media
    		Improve media relations and therefore visibility.

    Media list: Created/updated on national and international press, magazines, TV stations, radio and other UN publications (OCHA newsletters, etc.)

    Usually the CLAs or OCHA can support.
    		Media
    		Improve media relations and therefore visibility.

    Overview adapted from the road map in the FSC Advocacy and Communications Strategy for Country Clusters 2021. 

    Support: The gFSC Communications Officer is available to discuss the above products and tools further in detail, provide templates and advise on creating new ones. They can also assist with producing and disseminating material.
    Resources: Contact the GST Communications Team (FSCcommunications@fscluster.org) for examples, tailored templates and guidance related to any of the outputs and products mentioned in the table above.
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