On Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd January, 26 representatives from 11 member organisations of the European Movement International attended a social media training in Berlin, which was led by Jon Worth. With all representatives already engaged in communications acitivities for their various organistions, the participants were given the chance to focus on more in-depth learning and the sharing of best practices over the two days.

Getting ready for our comms training w/ @jonworth & many @EMInternational members #EurMoveBer pic.twitter.com/pd19yROt7h

— European Movement (@EMInternational) January 22, 2016

The session, which was designed to be participative throughout the two days, started with expectations setting and a discussion on ethics in online communications. Held in the offices of the European Movement Germany, participants were also pleased to spend time together with colleagues from all across Europe.

Hvordan kommunikeres Europa og #eudk på #some? Joint @EMInternational event Inspiration til vigtigt emne #EurMoveBER pic.twitter.com/wtilDXiHsx

— Europabevægelsen (@EuropaBev) January 22, 2016

A key discussion developed centered on online communications strategy, including understanding how messages are received, and the strength of using fewer tools to maximum effect. In this way participants also shared the various difficulties they find in online communications and the need to adapt strategy to what works in different markets.

How to separate signal from noise in political activism. What are you communicating, and is your message powerful enough? #eurmoveber

— ChristianP Fjellstad (@BlueCinclus) January 22, 2016

Time was also dedicated to understanding the range of tools available for online communications, the difference between them, the strength of current tools, such as Twitter, and also the value and place of advertising.

The perfect hashtag? How to increase user engagement? Is LinkedIn, G+ etc useful? These & many more questions answered today @ #EURMoveBER!

— AEGEE-Europe (@AEGEE_Europe) January 22, 2016

In a different move, participants were also encouraged to come up with their own sessions and to learn from the experience of their colleagues across the Europe wide network. Ideas were put forward to on greater shared efforts in a number of areas.

Open Space about communication strategies, networking, involving teens and other topics in the #EURMoveBER seminar pic.twitter.com/7t6gfSiYkr

— Janin Hartmann (@janinhartmann) January 23, 2016

An update was also given by Alex Godson on the European Movement International’s current online communications strategy, and by Bernd Hüttemann on the use of Wikipedia. The second day continued with more discussion, and plenty of coffee!

Learning about online strategies and working together

Learned a lot about online communications from @jonworth @alex_godson and colleagues from @EMInternational at #EURMoveBER – thank you!

— Janin Hartmann (@janinhartmann) January 23, 2016

You can follow the discussion via #EurMoveBer

Back from a comms workshop in #Berlin with a head full of new ideas, thx @NetzwerkEBD @EMInternational #EurMoveBER https://t.co/W4CkaC0MIy

— Joanna Nahorska (@Joanna_Nahorska) January 25, 2016

A heartly and grateful thanks to #EurMoveBER colleagues & friends for this fruitful EU comms seminar ! @EMInternational. & @NetzwerkEBD

— Julien Carpentier (@Ju_Carp) January 23, 2016