Using media trips to enhance global awareness of local content

Media trips provide an opportunity for journalists to witness and report on the EU's efforts in crisis management and humanitarian aid, thereby bringing community stories to international platforms.

Challenge

The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) want to share stories that highlight EU-funded projects and the lives of people impacted by crises and international cooperation.

Getting stories from remote areas out to a wider audience is challenging for several reasons including resource constraints, access restrictions, and cultural barriers. Organizing trips to bring media to these different locations is one crucial way to bridge this gap and effectively communicate the EU's efforts to a broader audience.

The trips themselves present several challenges. Ensuring the safety and security of journalists is paramount, especially in areas with active conflicts, terrorism threats, or unstable political environments. Additionally, coordinating logistics such as flights, accommodation, and local transportation requires meticulous planning and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.

Solution

We address these challenges through a comprehensive approach. We conduct thorough risk assessments in collaboration with DG ECHO and DG INTPA's regional security coordinators. The selection of journalists is done carefully, considering their experience, geographical coverage, and interest in humanitarian aid and crisis response. ICF Next also handles all logistics, including booking flights, accommodation, and arranging local transportation. They provide support on-site during the trips and ensure that all necessary documents, such as visas and waivers, are collected and processed.

Results

In September 2024, ICF Next organized a media trip to Greenland for DG INTPA to promote the EU-Greenland partnership through the Global Gateway programme. Journalists accompanied the Commissioner for International Partnerships on various field visits and meetings, providing them with on-the-ground reporting opportunities on joint economic initiatives and collaboration with local stakeholders.

We’ve organized more than 40 media trips for DG ECHO and DG INTPA, resulting in more than 400 published articles and more than 1000 spin-off articles created. These media trips have successfully raised awareness about EU humanitarian aid and civil protection operations, as well as international partnerships. The initiative has also strengthened the collaboration between the EU and its partner countries, showcasing the positive impact of the EU's international partnerships on people and the planet.