As part of the implementation of the MAIS project, a training session on the theme of communication was organised in partnership with Clima-Med. This initiative was aimed at strengthening and developing participants’ communication skills. It sought also to evaluate the communication actions envisaged and to explore with participants how to make the activities of the MAIS project more visible.

The session took place in the presence of Adel Ben Rhouma, Secretary General for the Municipality of Sfax, Riadh Haj Taieb, Director General of the Municipality of Sfax and Head of the C4C MAIS Project, which is co-funded by the European Union, and several executives from the municipalities of Sfax and Chihia.

The day started with a progress report by the municipality’s team on the various activities of the project. The Clima-Med communication team then led the training session which consisted of two modules:

1. an introduction to environmental communication;
2. and the strategic importance of social networks and their use in optimising the overall communication of the MAIS project.

The main thrusts of the training session were:

• strengthening the communication capabilities of participants from the municipalities of Sfax and Chihia;
• developing an effective communication approach and strategy for digital and social media;
• and use of the skills acquired in the context of the MAIS project to optimise communication and community engagement.

The stress was placed on practical application of the skills acquired in connection with the MAIS project, and on monitoring progress and the adjustments needed to optimise communication and engagement on social networks. Proposals were made for post-training monitoring to continue developing the skills of the MAIS project management unit as regards communication strategies.