IOM Migrants and Refugees in Croatia project Communications Strategy Contents

Transcription

1 IOM Migrants and Refugees in Croatia project Communications Strategy Contents 1. Introduction Objectives of the Communications Strategy Specific objectives Challenges Target audiences Key messages Levels of communication Communication Tools Expected outcomes Budget (as specified in the overall project budget)... 11

2 1. Introduction From the beginning of the migration crisis in Croatia on 16 September 2015, more than 650,000 migrants and refugees entered and transited its territory. The influx intensified after Hungary sealed off its border. Rapid migration flows and fast transit represented a challenge for both government s and humanitarian agencies' efforts to provide adequate assistance to the affected population. In this context IOM Office in Croatia rapidly mobilized funds and resources to assist the government and partner organization to support Croatia's emergency response to the current migration crisis. On 31 November 2015 IOM Office in Croatia signed a grant agreement with the Council of Europe Development Bank who generously offered to fund a project worth EUR 765,000 aiming to provide necessary assistance and protection to migrants and refugees arriving or transiting through Croatia. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the ongoing efforts of the Croatian government and partner institutions to address this emergency situation and provide assistance to the vulnerable migrant population in country. More specifically, the aim of the project is to: Provide adequate and timely distribution of Non-Food Items (NFIs) and Emergency Shelter (ES) to the affected populations. Establish and operate the Mobility Tracking Matrix as a flow monitoring tool to provide up-to-date information and statistics related to locations, movement, numbers and basic demographics of migrants and refugees while transiting through Croatia. This will contribute to a coordinated response actions at national, regional and international levels. Set up information desk activities at migrant and refugee reception and transit points aiming to provide key messages and updates in relevant languages related to the rights, services and infrastructures available.

3 As a result of the EU-Turkey deal and the closure of the so-called Balkans Route in March 2016, several hundreds of migrants became stranded in Croatia. Following the closure of the Winter Reception and Transit Centre (WRTC) on 13 April 2016, stranded migrants were transferred to the Zagreb and Kutina-based Reception Centres for Asylum Seekers (RASCs, vulnerable groups) and the Ježevo Detention Centre for Irregular Migrants (single men). This change of scenario led to swift re-arranging of project s activities in order to provide immediate support to the migrants that have been moved from WRTC to other reception/accommodation locations. In the second phase of the project, IOM s response focuses on improving housing and living conditions of the migrants, ensuring the supply of necessary NFIs, intensified community work, provision of info-desk services and establishment of feedback channeling tools to foster communication between the migrants, governmental entities and humanitarian partners active at field level. Special efforts are made to ensure that vulnerable and marginalized groups have access to a channel to voice their concerns and to request other forms of assistance. The project contributed to provide timely and effective assistance to all migrants and refugees entering or crossing Croatian territory, with particular focus on the most needed and vulnerable groups. Updated data and information gathered from the Mobility Tracking Matrix will be used to enhance the predictability of migrant flows, identify their needs and support the implementation of coordinated emergency response policies by the government and other stakeholders. Migrant community work contributed to build the capacities of the migrants through the organization of language classes, hygiene classes, cultural orientation, provision of referral services, leisure time activities and 24/7 interpretation services. Finally, the establishment of information desks ensured that every person has access to relevant information and will contribute to establish a dialogue with the affected population in order to better respond to their needs.

4 2. Objectives of the Communications Strategy The main objective of the communications strategy is to raise the visibility on project objectives and the results achieved and to establish a pattern for a successful multichannel communication among all stakeholders and target audiences. Communication is a social process which is crucial for building sustainable development initiatives and creating environments in which all stakeholders share a common understanding of the purpose and goals of an initiative, and jointly implement measures to achieve them Specific objectives Specific objectives of this communications strategy are threefold: 1) Ensure timely access to reliable information to the migrating population and provide them with the opportunity to make their voices heard and express any concerns they may have. Special attention are made to reach out to the vulnerable groups such as women and children. 2) Contribute to the creation of a favorable climate and help to establish a dialogue among the migrating and local populations. Awareness-raising activities help to alleviate negative prejudices and to avoid possible conflicts; 3) Increase the visibility of the project and its achievements at national, regional and international levels. This includes sending of regular updates and maintaining of outreach activities with a large variety of partner institutions, embassies, international organizations and NGOs Challenges Communicating with different audiences in a multi-ethnic context may be a challenge. This is why it is important to take into account cultural differences when delivering key messages. Another challenge is to ensure the sustainability after the implementation phase of the project ends. When efficient communication mechanisms will be put in place and running, it would be important to ensure that at least a part of these activities continue to be implemented in the future, independently of the project duration.

5 3. Target audiences When starting with the planning of communication activities it is essential to identify target audiences and adapt communication channels and tools to address the needs of each audience. Target audiences are therefore closely linked to the specific objectives of this strategy: 1) Migrating populations in Croatia with particular emphasis to the vulnerable groups 2) Local government and community 3) National government and institutions 4) International organizations, embassies and partner organizations 5) Media Appropriate communication tools are identified and used when communicating with the different audiences. These include: dissemination of info-sheets with key messages for the migrants and asylum-seekers, sending of regular updates to relevant partner institutions at international, national and local levels, organization of workshops, coordination meetings with partners and dissemination of information through webbased platforms.

6 4. Key messages Key messages are concise and clear statements of the message you want the target audience to receive. They should be clear and written in language that can be easily understood by the target audiences. Key messages are important because they help everyone focus on exactly what is being communicated, thereby reducing the possibility of mixed messages. They help to ensure that all stakeholders understand and share the same information and that communication products deliver same messages. A set of key messages providing basic information about Croatia, transit registration procedures and available infrastructures and services at the transit center approved by the MoI is currently displayed at the WTRC. IOM Team is involved in checking that the messages are regularly undated and that the information provided is accurate. Below is an example of a few messages currently in use: Transportation inside Croatia is organized by the State and is free of charge Inside sectors, you have access to heated showers and washing rooms with warm water Separate showers are available for men and women Water in these facilities is good for drinking Area for nursing mothers is available You may request medical assistance at any time. Outpatient clinic is available at the camp site A set of info-sheets providing key messages on services available, information for mothers with children, psycho-social support, legal aid, asylum seeking procedure etc was developed and widely disseminated among the migrant and asylum-seeking populations in English, Arabic, Farsi and Kurdu.

7 5. Levels of communication A wide range of communication activities are used to reach out to the different audiences identified. These are closely linked with the specific objectives of this strategy and include the following: Communicating with the migrating population 1) Establishment of an info desk including a video wall with key messages translated into various languages to provide useful information to the migrants and installation of 6 TV sets delivering audio-visual messages in real time; 2) Display of info sheets with key messages related to the reception/transit facilities and services to provide the migrating populations with relevant information before their arrival and during the reception process to the transit centre; 3) Display of info sheets with key messages related to the asylum-seeking procedure, services available, legal and psycho-social counselling for the asylum-seekers and stranded migrants 4) Conduct interviews with the migrants in order to have a better understanding of their profiles, needs and future plans. It is also an opportunity to ask for feedback and to encourage their participation in the issues that concern them. Selected information provided in the interviews can be further disseminated though I am a migrant campaign ( IOM webpage, etc. Communicating with the local community 1) Invite local authorities and other institutions to attend the final event of the project; 2) Conduct a sensitization seminar/capacity-building workshop emphasizing (inter alia) positive effects of migration and cultural diversity; 3) Participate in presentations for schools to inform the students about positive experiences/best practices related to migration; 4) Disseminate information about the project through IOM Country Office website and CEB/MRF webpage.

8 Communicating with national institutions 1) Organize meetings with the MoI and inform them about project progress/future needs; 2) Send regular updates to the government and other partner institutions related to the migration situation in Croatia, 3) Invite government representatives to attend the closing event of the project. 4) Disseminate information about the project through IOM Country Office website and CEB/MRF webpage. Communicating with the international community (international institutions, embassies, humanitarian organizations etc) 1) Use available coordination mechanisms (inter-agency meetings) and communication tools (Sitreps) to disseminate relevant migration response updates; 2) Invite the representatives of the international community to attend the closing event of the project. 3) Disseminate information about the project through IOM Country Office website and CEB/MRF webpage. Communicating with the media 1) Establish contacts with the national and local media and send them press-releases related to project achievements which can be widely distributed in the media; 2) Invite national and local media to attend the closing conference of the project. 3) Disseminate information about the project through IOM Country Office website and CEB/MRF webpage

9 6. Communication Tools Most suitable communication tools will be used to effectively target each audience, including: Information materials (leaflets, press-releases) Promotional materials (banner, usb stick, pen, agenda, folder, tissue bag etc. with MRF/CEB and IOM logos) Multimedia (audio/video messages displayed on TV sets) Seminars (sensitization seminar/capacity-building workshops) Events Media-relations

10 7. Expected outcomes Through the communication activities and tools outlined in this document it is expected that: High level of awareness about the activities, impact and outcomes of the project is built among different groups of stakeholders; Two-way communication with the migrating population is enhanced, ensuring their meaningful access to aid and services without discrimination; Ensure that the safety and dignity of the affected populations is prioritized; Positive image of the role of CEB/MRF and IOM in contributing to mitigate the migration crisis in Croatia is highlighted; Better coordination and information exchange among the different stakeholders is enhanced.

11 8. Budget (as specified in the overall project budget)