The Creative communications project is a MacArthur Foundation-funded initiative that supports civil society organisations (CSOs) in creative communications, report and data presentations. This project is expected to span from April 2014 to March 2016.
The Creative communications project aims to improve the communication strategy of civil society in its drive to promote accountability, citizen engagement, and institutional reform. The project allows BudgIT to train civil society organizations on data presentations, visualization, and techniques that will spur citizens’ demand for accountability and good governance.
On the 9th and 10th of September, BudgIT held a 2-day Creative Communication workshop at the Newton Park Hotel, Abuja. The workshop was a forum to train CSOs on improving their presentations, visualizations, and communication strategies and techniques. It was aimed at improving the interaction between selected CSOs and their stakeholders through their various communication channels. It was also meant to help CSOs magnify their individual strengths and highlight the need for better collaboration during campaigns. The participating CSOs were thought the basics of creating infographics and the use of data for reporting.
Daniel Azike, took the participants on data appreciation and basic data analysis and visualisation tools like Infogram and Datawrapper. The participants learnt the proper use of data for reporting, the importance of fact-based data reporting and how to present data without clogging a report.
Award-winning social media strategist and blogger; Blossom Nnodim had a session with participants on the use of social media for advocacy. She highlighted the essence of a coordinated social media policy. She stressed the need for organisations to be consistent with their social media handles. She also made a presentation on ‘The Ten Commandments for Twitter Explosion’. Blossom also lead the adoption of the #CSOCreative hashtag for the event.
Our Lead Partner, Oluseun Onigbinde took participants through presentation skills. He illustrated the importance of clear and self-explanatory visuals in making awesome presentations. He also led a session on the basics creating of infographics.
There was also a personalised session with the CSOs involving a review of their websites, publications and social media strategies.
