Thread by @Dante_Licona

The @IFRC_Europe communications & fundraising skillshare is happening this week in Istanbul.

150 professionals from over 50 countries sharing their expertise.

Thanks to @RedCrescent for hosting!

Here’s what we’ve seen so far #IFRCSkillshare22 👇🏽🧵

We started with an inspirational keynote from @zainab0aleqabi.

She shared her passion for storytelling and told us:

“I want to create awareness on the ground, not only on social media”

#IFRCSkillshare22

We need to amplify more local voices.

@IrinaRuano from the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine shared concrete examples of how volunteers —with talent & close to the action— make a big difference for effective communication.

#IFRCSkillshare22

The @redcrescent_kg team shared how much progress they’ve achieved over the last couple of years by intentionally putting efforts in more effective communication and storytelling — and the power of strong visuals.

#IFRCSkillshare22

We also heard from AMAZING people from Syria.

They live in Türkiye & are alumni of the ESSN storytelling project supported by IFRC, @Kizilay & @eu_echo.

They received mentorship from @zainab0aleqabi & other mentors.

Their stories👉🏽 bit.ly/3FiEEZU

#IFRCSkillshare22 twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

We are more than just labels.

An insightful session by @Rana_J01 invited us to see people beyond their affiliation/status, to observe more deeply, to listen better.

She also showed us how to get attention from a full room—using silence.

#IFRCSkillshare22

It’s critical to communicate at the right time.

The @RedCrossRomania team presented their impressive comms & fundraising efforts in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

What an effort.

#IFRCSkillshare22

Act fast.
Be prepared.
Be transparent.
Have a good team.
Take time to rest a bit.

Another impressive comms effort by the @PolskiCK team 👏🏽

#IFRCSkillshare22

If you:

- Empower & assign responsibility (through a Chief of Duty).
- Have clear SOPs and checklists
- Have a good team
- And check on yourself & others

Then you can keep calm while communicating effectively during crises, the @roteskreuz_de way.

#IFRCSkillshare22

How can we tell better stories with photos?

@bradleysecker showed us how to create powerful visuals, while preserving dignity & safety for the people that share their stories in front of the camera.

His portfolio, a must-see bradleysecker.com

#IFRCSkillshare22

Epidemics start and end in communities.

That’s why TRUST matters — it’s critically important.

@EvaErlach shared insights from DRC & the community feedback mechanisms that @ifrc network teams use to listen, address rumors, and improve humanitarian response.

#IFRCSkillshare22

Will people remember what you just said?

Make the message stick.

Colleagues from the Red Cross of Bosnia & Herzegovina shared their experience creating content that resonated with their audience during COVID-19.

#IFRCSkillshare22

Campaigning with purpose.

We took a deep dive on how the #PowerToBe campaign came to be.

A joint effort by:

IFRC
@Kizilay
@eu_echo
SocialSocial
and many RCRC National Societies.

#IFRCSkilshare22

Accessible social media should not be optional anymore.

Humanitarian communicators & marketers must walk the talk.

That’s why we are so grateful to @HashtagHeyAlexa for sharing her expertise at #IFRCSkillshare22

Find all resources here accessible-social.com

And all of a sudden, everything changed.

Our colleague Lesya, Head of Comms at @RedCrossUkraine told us the story of how exactly the team responded on 24 February (and ever since) to the extraordinary humanitarian needs.

“Every day brings a new surprise”

#IFRCSkillshare22

Effective communication requires:

Strategy
Structure
Planning
Timely execution

Alice Buckle shared how the @BritishRedCross gets things done.

#IFRCSkillshare22

How to make the most of @Meta services?

Be authentic
Be informative & timely
Share frequently & consistently
Mix it up (video, stories, carrousel)
Highlight important announcements

Thanks to Rosa and Burak from the EMEA team for sharing their insights.

#IFRCSkillshare22

The use of messaging services keeps growing.

And @Viber has a wide range of options for organizations to connect with supporters and communities.

Many thanks to @PetyaKamburova for our long-standing partnership and for joining the #IFRCSkillshare22

Twitter works best in real-time.

It’s critical for organizations that communicate during emergencies.

We are lucky to work closely with so many tweeps 

What a treat to have @Silvia_BXL joining 💻 the #IFRCSkillshare22 – thanks for the shoutouts for Red Cross teams worldwide!

A masterclass on how to work better with media:

Avoid jargon
Be transparent
Pitch at the right time
Get to know journalists
Create value for producers
Get to know their workflows
Don’t waste the audience’s time

Yet another press release? Maybe not.

#IFRCSkillshare22

Human story first, operations last.

Thanks to @helenachumphrey for reminding us how she and many journalists focus on stories of people, not boxes. That’s what most audiences relate to.

Great to catch up at #IFRCSkillshare22! Thanks for joining us 🙏🏽

Positioning experts in a competitive media environment is a challenge.

But Danish Red Cross @danskrodekors has a plan for that.

With the lighthouse approach, subject matter experts commit to make the time to communicate.

Kudos to @KlausNorskov & team 👏🏽 #IFRCSkillshare22

And that’s a wrap for a week of inspiration, learning & human connection.

A big thank you to ALL #IFRCSkillshare22 organizers (specially @noripetya & Pavlina from the comms side, and @Kizilay for hosting us).

Thanks to Magdalena from @roteskreuzat for the TikTok grand finale!