In 2021, a network was set up to share knowledge in the field of communication. The network is part of Component 3 of the Blue Deal Mozambique partnership and involves the communication teams of the three ARAs (ARA-Centro,IP, ARA-Norte,IP and ARA-Sul,IP) and experts from DWA. Since 2021, there has been a continuous exchange of knowledge in the field of communication, with two live meetings and training sessions on various topics. The ARAs have developed various communication activities, including awareness campaigns for water users licensing. The results are promising.
Communication activities
The activities carried out by the ARAs include: licensing campaigns; the renewal of the ARA Sul website, which now allows requesting permits online; the production of radio programmes and TV spots; participation in FACIM; sponsored posts on social networks and text messages by phone (in the event of a flood alert). There was also the acquisition of a drone and a training course on its use for the technical and communication departments of ARA Sul,IP.
Licensing campaigns
ARA Sul,IP and ARA Norte,IP carried out licensing campaigns for groundwater users and were able to increase the number of new permits (and thus increase the financial return). In addition to Facebook, radio, and bulk SMS campaigns, field visits were carried out to survey unregulated users and identify and license new raw water users. ARA Centro,IP produced an institutional video and shared its experience of using a 5-step debt negotiation plan with the other ARAs.
Knowledge-sharing
In addition to the online meetings to coordinate and discuss communication strategies and activities, two live meetings were organised to maximise knowledge sharing. The first meeting was held in Nampula (at ARA Norte, IP) in 2022 and another in Tete (at ARA Centro, IP) in 2023. At each meeting, experts from the ARAs and DWA made presentations on various topics, including water management and communication in the Netherlands, communication planning and strategy, key messages, target group analysis, press relations, social media strategies, user relations, and internal communication and its importance for the development of the ARAs. A field trip was included in the programme of each meeting.
Media training
A media training session was held in October 2023 for the ARA Sul,IP General Director, Head of Divisions, and the communication team. The participants underwent test interviews with a television camera crew led by journalist Jeremias Langa.
The interviews were then viewed and critiqued by the participants from ARA Sul,IP. The theoretical part of the course covered topics such as the media landscape in Mozambique, tips for preparing interviews, and crisis management. The practical part also included a simulation of a press conference in which the General Director of ARA Sul,IP announced a flood.
The ARAs are already working on communication activities for 2024. The next live meeting is planned for early 2025.
