Workshop for the EU-funded Projects in Uzbekistan "Strategy of the European Union in the area of Visibility and Communication"

On December 13, the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan conducted a workshop for EU-funded Projects in Uzbekistan titled "Strategy of the European Union in the area of Visibility and Communication". Its purpose was to ensure that EU-funded projects' staff is aware of the EU communication and visibility guidelines, to enhance interaction with audience, stressing the relevance and the effectiveness of the new media channels and social media tools.

Eduards Stiprais, EU Ambassador in Uzbekistan stated in his welcoming speech that the workshop was "a great opportunity to know more about the strategic approach to communication and to learn the key techniques and tools to produce attractive and engaging news articles and posts". Acknowledging the efforts of projects representatives for ensuring EU visibility and communication, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude to them for "promoting expertise, knowledge and key European values and standards".

The workshop was attended by 25 representatives of agencies implementing EU projects, such as the World Bank, GIZ, SOS Children's Villages, CAREC, ILO, UNDP, AFD, ICJ, EBRD, Association for development of business logistics, APTA, UZAIFSA, ACTED and the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan.

Each project presented its three most successful communication and visibility ideas implemented during year of 2019, which was followed by a vote for the best communication product to present at the Regional Workshop on Strategic Communication to be held in Brussels in February 2020. The winner was the project "Enhancement of vulnerable children protection mechanisms in Uzbekistan" implemented by the Association SOS Children's Villages in Uzbekistan.

In 2019 the first prize for the best communication product was awarded to the social video produced in the framework of project "Strengthening Civil Society to Advance Women’s Rights through Advocacy, Protection and Empowerment in Uzbekistan" implemented by ACTED jointly with three prominent NGOs focusing on support to women affected by domestic violence.

The workshop was followed by key skills focused on presentation, storytelling and creativity, which was moderated by former Uzbek ambassador Dr. Alisher Fayzullayev.