The Communications Forum 2024 will take place on 20-24 November 2024 at the Bulgarian Red Cross Training Centre in Lozen, near Sofia, Bulgaria.
The event aims at equipping participants with communication skills and useful tools to use as part of their work. It will also inspire, and offer an opportunity to share good practices and a chance to learn from each other.
The participants’ profiles are staff and volunteers active at the national level in the areas of external/internal Communication, Media Relations, Digital Communication, Social Media Management, Brand scouting and others. The participants should have skills, knowledge and experience in communications.
The participants need to be over 18 years old to attend the event. We especially encourage the participation of members aged under 30. Applications for participation can be completed using the following online registration form. Please do so before 7 July 2024.
Aim
The Communications Forum is a 3-full day (5 days including travel) networking and learning event. The event aims at equipping participants with communication skills and useful tools to use as part of their work. It will also provide inspiration, offer an opportunity to share good practices and a chance to learn from each other.
The programme consists of practical workshops and training sessions. The participants will have the chance to influence their own learning journey by selecting sessions of their interest. Some of the focus topics of the Communications Forum include Brand and Messaging, Communications Planning, Social Media, and exploring communication trends, among others.
There will be also an opportunity to explore the city of Sofia and learn more about scouting in Bulgaria.
Dates and Venue
Arrivals are expected during the day of 20 November 2024, and departures from the morning of 24 November 2024.
Participants’ Profile
Staff and volunteers active at the national level in the area of external/internal Communication, Media Relations, Digital Communication, Social Media Management, Brand scouting and others.
The participants should have skills, knowledge and experience in communications.
The participants need to be over 18 years old to attend the event. We especially encourage the participation of members aged under 30.
Participants should be available for the entire duration of the event, and be willing to take part in pre-event learning. To get the most out of the experience participants should anticipate engaging in long days throughout the event.
Language
The working language of the Communications Forum 2024 is English to facilitate all exchanges among participants. Being able to communicate in that language effectively is essential to participate.
Participation Fee
Thanks to generous funding from the European Youth Foundation, we will have a reduced participation fee of only EUR 50 for the full length of the event (covering accommodation in shared rooms, all meals and tea/coffee breaks, and additional programme expenses).
More logistical information will be sent to registered participants in due time.
Registration
Applications for participation can be completed using the following online registration form. Please do so before 7 July 2024. We aim to select up to 40 participants from across the European Scout Region. The selected participants will be informed by 15 July 2024. Please do not arrange for travel before hearing back from the organising team.
Visa and Travel Arrangements
Confirmed participants will be responsible for making their travel arrangements. Please DO NOT book your flights or trains before receiving a confirmation letter from the European Scout Region, in which more information about the logistics will be provided. Please let us know in the event’s online registration form if you need a visa to access Bulgaria.
More logistical information will be sent to registered participants in due time. Furthermore, we will fund up to 80% of travel costs, not more than EUR 250. If the travel costs exceed EUR 250, the difference will be at the cost of the participant (e.g., for travel costs amounting to EUR 250 or more, the reimbursement will be EUR 200, which corresponds to 80% of the maximum budget provided of EUR 250). Reimbursements will be made on a real-cost basis after the event, provided all supporting documents are handed to the European Scout Region (including flight/train/bus tickets and proof of payment). A credit note or invoice will be sent directly to the sending organisation. No reimbursement will be made directly to participants.
Once the organising team confirms their participation, participants are requested to communicate with their Member Organization and coordinate their travel arrangements.
As per the decision of the European Scout Committee to provision reserves to provide financial support to Member Organizations in their participation in our Regional Events, Additional Financial Support will be made available for those Member Organizations requiring such support. Any Member Organization requiring this support can summarise their request through the event’s online registration form.
Insurance
The European Scout Region of WOSM does not cover participants' risks during the event or travel to or from the venue. Please note that it is the exclusive responsibility of the participant’s national association to check and be sure that the risks of participants are covered by insurance (illness, accidents, repatriation, etc).
More Information and Contact
We look forward to connecting and learning with your Communications staff and volunteers. If you have any questions, you can send them to Júlia Pérez Lema via [email protected].