Whether building a new road or training future environmental workers, good communications are critical to the success of every international development project. IRG provides the strategy, counsel and guidance necessary for the effective dissemination of public and internal information. Improving access to information, and the quality of that information, promotes improved governance through a more informed civil society and improved investor confidence. By promoting regional initiatives and sharing lessons learned, we also help build expertise and improve cooperation among current and future beneficiaries.

Capabilities:

• Communications and Marketing Strategy, Planning and Implementation
• Branding and Project Identity
• Media Relations
• Promotional Materials – from Project Brochures to Success Stories
• Official Briefing Materials
• Website Development
• Event Planning and Implementation
• Media Training

Select projects include:

Building Awareness to Create Community Support
Communications is an important component of community development. IRG is assisting USAID/Indonesia’s Banda Aceh-Meulaboh road reconstruction project to build awareness and trust through public outreach tools, strengthening relationships to ensure the project’s efforts will be understood by the community. IRG provides timely status reports for internal USAID audiences and as the project moves forward, regular public information that will help inform affected communities of the road’s progress. As construction progresses, IRG will work with USAID to undertake multiple public events and proactive media outreach. Indonesia: Aceh Road Reconstruction Outreach

Using Media to Support Policy Initiatives
Working with the national media, IRG takes key messages from the policy instruments of the Dominican Republic IPEP Project, an environmental protection program, and broadcasts them nationwide. The “¡Cuida tu conuco!” (or “Take care of your homestead!”) Mass Media Campaign serves as a social awareness mechanism. By providing information in digestible ways, it will help shift societal attitudes and behavior towards environment and natural resources. Recent advances have included development of environmental norms over the forestry sector and groundwater usage as well as a series of municipal level environmental ordinances. Dominican Republic: IPEP Project

Managing the Environment with the Help of Public Opinion
Through public events, targeted marketing materials, media relations, and a Website, IRG is informing public opinion about the importance of biodiversity conservation, ecotourism and outdoor recreation, vital environmental services and the rational for a co-management approach to the tropical forest reserves. The Nishorgo Project tasks IRG with developing a working model of co-management for protected areas that, while feasible and replicable for government and community interests, meets economic development and conservation needs. Bangladesh: Co-Management of Tropical Forest Resources