Team Member Name
Job Title
Evaluation of ECOWAS Information and Communication Policy 2021
Considering recent developments in the so-called digital revolution, regional migration, and social and economic growth, ECOWAS requires an in-depth overhaul of its Information and Communication Policy.
Partner/Client
ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States
Focus
Communication
Expertise
Evaluation & Monitoring I Policy Development I Communication
Location
ECOWAS Member Countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo)
Funding
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Status
Concluded (2021)
Link
CHALLENGE
_ The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is one of five regional foundations in the African Economic Community. It is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1975 to achieve economic integration among its 15 member states with three official languages (English, French, and Portuguese). ECOWAS aspires to four pillars: Peace and Security, Developing Infrastructure, Policy harmonization (to facilitate trade) and Good Corporate Governance.
_ The ECOWAS “Information and Communication Policy 2000” guides the sharing of information about ECOWAS objectives and achievements; however, it does not consider many developments in information technology and communication since 2000.
_ Lacking targeted information on ECOWAS aims, policies, programs, and actions to the grassroots populations is one of the greatest impediments to ECOWAS integration efforts.
_ Paeradigmsand consortium partner Kopperkollektive were brought in to review the existing policy , formulate recommendations and develop the ECOWAS Information and Communication Policy 2021.
APPROACH
_Evaluation of the "Information and Communication Policy 2000" taking a four-level approach that comprised the conceptual, output, outcome, and impact levels. The evaluation involved an extensive review of secondary data, numerous interviews with key stakeholders and a benchmarking study of communication policies of other intergovernmental organsiations.
_The review and recommendations fed into a draft ECOWAS Information and Communication Policy 2021 that ensures communication about ECOWAS objectives, policies, programmes, and activities, increasing legitimacy, support and participation while taking into consideration the changing media and communication landscape.
_During a one-week workshop in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) in October 2021, the experts worked with the Officers from the ECOWAS Communication Directorate and ECOWAS Institutions, Agencies and Resident Representatives to co-create the final version of the policy.
RESULTS
_A comprehensive evaluation of the past ECOWAS Information and Communication Policy
_Recommendations on how to improve ECOWAS' external and internal communications
_Reviewed ECOWAS Communication Policy to be approved by Member States
PROJECT GALLERY
