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Florence School of Transnational Governance

Executive Certificate in Policy Communication

Programme Start Date

20/02/2023

Duration

See information for applicants

Delivery mode

Online

Location

Online

Fee

1.200 €

Discount options available

See the fees section

Application Deadline

31/01/2023 - 23:59 CET

Discover the 2025 edition.

Programme Description

 

This is the page of the 2023 edition of the Executive Certificate in Policy Communication. Discover the 2025 edition.

 

Effective communication about and of public policy is difficult in today’s information environment. All actors in the policy process can recognise this challenge. If you work in governance, you know that without clear communication of your policy’s objectives and instruments, the citizens, the media, and other stakeholders may misinterpret it. This opens the door to both compliance gaps and disinformation, which impact the results of the policy itself. Ineffective policy communication easily leads to sub-optimal policy outcomes.

For those aiming to have an impact in public affairs through advocacy or policy-relevant research, effective communication is also essential. You might be one of these policy entrepreneurs, dealing with policymaking audiences whose attention spans are fickle. To cut through the noise, your communication efforts need to get the right message across at the right time, and to be substantiated with convincing evidence. Otherwise, your research and advocacy will not be picked up by the policymakers.

Even though high-quality research and evidence are a good starting point for communication on policy issues, they are often not enough. Effective policy communication means persuasively combining evidence and data with stories, emotion, and values in a narrative frame that makes sense to the audience. The language used should also reflect this by being not only concise and understandable, but also stimulating and actionable. To get there, policy communicators need to avoid the so-called knowledge trap and step in their audience’s shoes.

This course will equip you with skills needed to make sure your policy communication is clear, evidence-based, story-driven, and strategic – and not just an after-thought of policymaking or research. From topics such as audience analysis, crisis communication, and the role of narratives in policy communication to key outputs such as policy briefs, position papers, op-eds, and videos, this course asks critical questions about effective policy communication in the era of polarisation, disinformation, and radical uncertainty.

Download the STG Executive Education Catalogue and receive updates on Executive Trainings offered by the School of Transnational Governance.

 

Learning methods

The course is designed for an online audience, with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities including live online workshops, live online keynotes, pre-readings, and discussion boards. The participants will be enrolled to the EUI’s Virtual Learning Environment and will also be given access to the full selection of the EUI’s library resources via an EUI-domain login 7 days before the official start of the training.

Certification

There are two modes of participation and certification in this executive training:

  • With ECTS credits (2) included: you will be expected to actively participate in all segments of the training including the discussion boards and to submit a final written assignment (policy brief or op-ed) to which you will get feedback from the instructor. Participants who register for this mode of participation will receive a 2-ECTS Certificate that details the activities and learning hours of the training.
  • Without ECTS credits included: while all parts of the course will be open to you, the participation in the discussion boards will be optional and you will not have the opportunity to send a final written assignment (policy brief or op-ed) and receive feedback on it from the instructor. Participants who register for this mode of participation will receive a Certificate of Attendance signed by the STG Director.

 

Lead instructor

Jakov Bojovic is the co-founder of the CEPOW Centre for Policy Writing and a programme manager at the EUI School of Transnational Governance. He is an expert in public policy communications. Since 2017 he has delivered numerous training sessions in writing for public policy to participants from governments, international organisations, think tanks, and advocacy groups. He has also taught courses and workshops to students at the IE School of Global and Public Affairs (Madrid), Central European University (Vienna), Columbia University (New York), American University of Central Asia (Bishkek), Kedge Business School (Bordeaux). Jakov holds a Ph.D. from Central European University and has several academic publications on EU issues.

Information for applicants

The course will take place between 20 February 2023 and 13 March 2023 with the following topics:

  • Week 1: Introduction to policy communication │ Crisis communications
  • Week 2: Effective policy briefs │ Turning policy facts into stories
  • Week 3: Op-eds as tools for policy communication │ Speeches, videos, and interviews
  • Week 4: Presentations and feedback
  • Week 5 & 6: Work on the final assignment (For the ECTS Certificate only)

For a detailed schedule and an overview of learning activities please consult the tentative programme agenda. Please note that all times in the agenda are in Central European Time.

Instructors

Guest speakers

Fees

Fee 1.200 €

Early bird and groups 1.080 € [ -10%]

Affiliation price 1.020 € [ -15%]

ETGN price 960 € [ -20%]


Early bird and groups

Early Bird Discount (10%) is applicable for registrations by 18/12/2023 - 23:59 CET. 
The same discount is applicable for groups (more than three people).

Affiliation price

The affiliation discount (15%) applies for NGO staff, national civil servants and EU officials (from EU institutions and bodies), international organisations, as well as EUI alumni, and former paying participants of STG courses.

ETGN price

The course is eligible for the ETGN Certificate with 20% discount over the total fee. Find out more.

 

 

Non-ECTS Fees
  • Non-ECTS Certificate of Attendance (feedback not included) Fee: 1000 €
  • Early bird – Non-ECTS Fee: 900 € [ -10%]
  • Affiliation price – Non-ECTS Fee: 850 € [ -15%]

 
We encourage early registrations for this course as places are given on a rolling basis. 

More information about the cancellation policy applicable to this course.

What you will gain

By the end of this programme, the participants will be able to:

  • design policy communication strategies;
  • communicate in a more effective way with policymaking audiences;
  • self-assess and improve their writing skills for policy;
  • turn policy data and evidence into compelling stories;
  • employ new models and checklists in their policy writing;
  • structure policy briefs in a logical way;
  • write and pitch policy op-eds that stick;
  • describe the key steps to an impactful policy speech, video, and media interview.

Target Audience

  • Government officials at all levels
  • Employees of international organisations
  • Public affairs professionals in business organisations
  • Policy advocates from NGOs or interest groups
  • Researchers within universities or think tanks

Themes / Areas

Contacts

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