ESIF Programme Monitoring Committee communications update paper: May 2021

Purpose of paper

To update members on the implementation of the communications strategy since the last meeting of the PMC in December 2020.

Decisions required

PMC is invited to give an opinion on ways to increase effectiveness of communications activities aimed at promoting activities and projects supported through the European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes.

Effects of COVID-19 and pre-election period

The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions associated with the pandemic continue to limit many aspects of the communication strategy. In addition, since the pre-election period that commenced on 25 March 2021 the Managing Authority (MA) has been prevented from using social media, making website updates and other non-essential public-facing activity. However, the MA continues make the most of its communication channels to communicate the successes of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) programmes.

Social media

The MA continues to use its Twitter account @scotgovESIF to raise awareness of ESIF-related projects and activity. While the main target audience for our social media activity is the public, we also use it to direct stakeholders towards blog posts and website updates, and inform them of other minor changes.

Website and blog

The MA continues to review its website content on a quarterly basis and makes changes as and when required. Currently, significant work is being undertaken to improve the accessibility of ESIF documents hosted on our website.

Newsletter

The MA has issued one e-bulletin in March to live Strategic Intervention (SI) and operations managers as listed on our claim payment system EUMIS. The pre-election period restrictions of the have prevented further e-bulletins being issued this year. As members are aware, the e-bulletin provides a summary of important news that Lead Partners (LP) should be aware of, as well as signposting to other content hosted on our blog and elsewhere.

Media coverage and monitoring

The MA continues to work with LPs’ and other organisations’ communications teams to create media coverage of ESIF projects. A selection of media coverage is below:

• 4 March 2021: ‘Aberdeen University to offer nine scholarships for Artificial Intelligence course’ (ESF – Developing Scotland’s Workforce) - University of Aberdeen
• 9 March 2021: ‘Angus EV hub up and running beside busy A90 at Forfar’ (ERDF – Low Carbon Travel and Transport Fund) - The Courier
• 15 March 2021: ‘Highland Wildlife Park awarded a share a £2.6 million European Regional Development Fund award’ (ERDF – Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund) - Ross-shire Journal
• 28 April 2021: ‘Work pathways are secure for Foundation Apprenticeships despite current events’ (ESF – Developing Scotland’s Workforce) - The Herald

Events and 2020 case studies booklet

The MA hosted an online publicity event on Wednesday 9 December 2020 to promote the achievements of the programme. Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Trade, Innovation and Public Finance, delivered the keynote address at the event, which was attended by over 80 stakeholders. A full write-up of the event was published on our blog.

One of the main purposes of the 9 December 2020 event was to announce the publication of the 2020 case studies booklet. It features twelve stories of people, businesses and communities who have benefitted from ESIF support and is available online.

Future events

The MA is in the early stages of planning a future online event in summer 2021. Members and LPs will be provided with further information once arrangements for the event have been finalised.

As always, the MA will continue to work with LP and Scottish Government communications teams to seek opportunities for publicising the successes of the ESIF programmes.