Dissemination and Impact: How to share and recognise results Charis Hughes Communications & Impact Research Léargas Leargas.Ireland @Leargas www.leargas.ie
Dissemination and Impact Key parts of Erasmus+ 30% of the total application score Usually the weakest area in project applications
So, what are they?! Dissemination = What we ve learned, and how you can use it Impact = The difference the project makes (to attitudes, methods, systems ) Don t confuse either with Promotion (= Check out our project! )
The Key
Defining dissemination
Defining dissemination
Plant your seeds in prepared soil!
Dissemination Plan What do you want to achieve? Be realistic Identify strengths in the project team (video/social media/writing/photography ) Include participants & whole organisation Keep a record of everything! Assess the plan periodically: who has been reached?
Dissemination Plan For effective dissemination, you must identify: who can benefit from your knowledge (audience) what you want them to know (message) how you can reach them (method).
Who is in your audience? Who will benefit from the knowledge you have to share? Who can take your information and put it into action? Think beyond your immediate network!
What do you want them to know? What s the aim of your project? What would you like to know about other projects? What do you wish you d known before you started?
How do you connect? Where do your audience get their information? What methods are you already using (email, newsletter, blog, notice board)? What wider networks are available to you (unions/special interest groups/ regional groups?
Tips on Audience Listen to how they communicate; be prepared to flex your style and tone Use the channels that they use (newsletter/facebook/presentations ) Give context will they know the terms that you do? (E+ KA1 = how many?!) Assess which audiences are hardest to reach and prioritise your efforts
Tips on Message Agree your core message and keep your word choice consistent Make it attractive and recognisable: brand colours, fonts, logos, images Develop guidelines for colleagues/participants Write for the medium (remember online wri ng wri ng for print)
Tips on Method Social media is for conversation, not just announcements Choose 2 3 platforms max; interact often Build networks of similar organisations Recruit participants to join in Facebook make a page not a profile!
Use Léargas! Quick way to reach and inspire a relevant audience! On social media: Tag @Leargas &use#erasmusplus Contribute to our blog Come to the Léargas Forum (28.11.17) Invite us to your events
A Word about Photos Get consent Use active shots Challenge stereotypes Shoot in high quality Use authentic situations Create a sense of the project
Who? Where? Why?
Who? Where? Why?
Credit Erasmus+ Your funding comes from the European Union through Erasmus+ (not the Commission or Léargas) Because this is public money, and to let others know of the opportunity, you must credit Erasmus+ in information about the project Use this logo (download from key resources on www.leargas.ie homepage): Write: (Co )funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union
Examples Audience: Teachers Message: Download our Engaging Young People booklet Method: Social media, sectoral websites, presentations, talk to colleagues Tone: Informal, emphasising the benefits Audience: Departments of Education in Ireland, France & Germany Message: 450 teachers downloaded our booklet and are reporting success with our methods integrating the methods into their classrooms Method: Present results at conferences; Arrange a meeting with Dept representatives; Write an article for sectoral press Tone: Formal, emphasising the impact
Impact The difference the project makes
Understanding Impact
Know your Goals What impact do you expect to see? (= why are you doing this project?) How will you recognise this impact? (= what are your champagne moments?) Be as specific as possible
Understanding Impact But
Contribute to Bigger Change
Measuring Impact Consider where you are now, and where you want to go (If your six month plan is to lose weight and you end at 10 stone, it s helpful to know if you started at 12 stone or 10 stone 2 )
Sources of Evidence Before and after: Interviews Surveys Reflective journals Peer observation (video/work)
Using Evidence Get specific: Who will do the interviews? When? How? What questions? Use common sense: Design a survey for five people, or have a discussion? Open questions: Do you think motivation has changed? How has motivation changed?
Find Out More www.leargas.ie/blog/ dissemination_sharewhatyoulearn/ Impact+ Workshop https://erasmusplus.org.uk/impact chughes@leargas.ie
Communications Unit Tel: 01 887 1280 Email: comms@leargas.ie Leargas.Ireland @Leargas www.leargas.ie