CONTROL AREA COMMUNICATION
WHY COMMUNICATION
There is no question that sustainability plays an important role in the public sphere and in sport. For this reason, sustainability issues are an integral part of communication at sporting events. The main objective is to increase the positive perception of the sporting event, create trust and show the way to greater sustainability.
THE CENTRAL PURPOSES OF SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATION ARE:
- ✔ Image: Communicating sustainability achievements supports the development of a positive image of the sporting event.
- ✔ Building trust: Transparent and regular communication strengthens relationships with stakeholders and increases credibility.
- ✔ Education: Communication about sustainability promotes awareness and knowledge of sustainability and thereby contributes to educational work for a sustainable transformation.
IMPORTANT STEPS FOR THE COMMUNICATION CONTROL AREA
Important tasks for successful sustainability communication are:
Develop a clear positioning for the organiser on the topic of sustainability, which you would like to convey to the stakeholders. Integrate this positioning into the strategy.
Note for beginners: If developing a comprehensive positioning is difficult, you should start with a simple, easy-to-understand core message. This can be a single sentence.
Define the target groups that you mainly want to reach with the communication measures.
Note for beginners: If you are unable to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the target groups, you should initially only select one or two groups that are particularly relevant for your sporting event (e.g. participants and local groups).
Select suitable media and platforms for sustainability communication for each target group.
Note for beginners: Start with the channels you already use (e.g. your website or social media). You can add more channels later as your communication develops.
Define the communication milestones by specifying which key sustainability achievements are to be communicated and when.
Note for beginners: If you cannot create a comprehensive communication plan, you should start by communicating small but important successes. A simple update on your progress on social media or on your website can be a good start.
Communicate transparently and credibly, including about challenges and setbacks. Adapt the communication styles to the needs and interests of the target groups. Use storytelling to make sustainability achievements tangible and focus on emotionalisation.
Note for beginners: You can communicate transparently even with few resources. Share small, honest updates about your progress and challenges, using simple, understandable language.
Continuously review the response and the potential impact of communication and make any necessary adjustments based on feedback and developments.
Note for beginners: If a comprehensive review is difficult, you should first look for simple feedback, e.g. via comments on social media or in conversations with participants. This feedback can provide valuable information for adapting your communication.
Further information on the timing of the respective steps and the frequency of implementation can be found in the planning tool.