Communication for Development
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Communication for Development
From Strategy to Impact
23–26 November 2026
The course is available in English
Introduction to the course
Communication is most effective when it starts with strategy—not with tools. This four-day Communication for Development: From Strategy to Impact (C4D) programme takes participants through the complete communication design process, from defining a communication challenge to developing and presenting a strategic communication solution.
Working in teams, participants respond to a realistic client brief inspired by common communication challenges faced by international organizations, governments and development partners. Throughout the programme, they apply proven communication frameworks, experiment with storytelling techniques, explore a range of communication products and channels, and develop a practical communication solution with guidance from international experts.
Designed around a "learn by doing" approach, the course combines expert-led sessions with collaborative workshops, coaching clinics and hands-on production. Participants leave with practical tools, new ideas and a communication product they can adapt to their own professional context.
Who attends this course?
This course is designed for professionals who use communication to influence, engage or inspire others, including:
- Communication and public information officers
- Development practitioners
- Project and programme managers
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning specialists
- Policy advisors
- Advocacy and partnership professionals
- Donor relations and resource mobilization officers
- Learning and training professionals
- Creative professionals supporting development initiatives
No advanced communication or design experience is required.
What can you expect?
Throughout the programme, participants work in small teams on a realistic communication challenge, selecting one of four communication streams:
- Advocacy Communications
- Donor Communications
- Internal Communications
- Public Engagement Communications
Each team receives a client brief with a communication challenge, target audiences, constraints and expected outcomes. Over four days, participants progressively develop a strategic communication solution by:
- defining communication objectives and audiences;
- designing a communication strategy;
- selecting the most appropriate communication products and channels;
- creating a prototype communication product;
- measuring communication success; and
- presenting their solution to an expert panel.
Learning takes place through a combination of expert presentations, practical workshops, coaching clinics, peer learning and daily team presentations. Along the way, teams respond to unexpected "real-world" communication scenarios that require them to adapt their strategies, just as they would in professional practice.
Participants leave with practical tools, templates and a communication strategy that can be adapted to their own work.
Course structure
The programme follows a simple rhythm: mornings focus on theory and inspiration, while afternoons are dedicated to practical application. Each day concludes with a team showcase where participants present their progress and receive feedback from peers and communication experts.
Detailed schedule
Day 1: Define the Challenge
Morning: The programme opens with an introduction to Communication for Development and explores what makes communication truly strategic. Participants hear from communication experts working in advocacy, donor communications, internal communications and public engagement before selecting their communication stream and receiving their client brief.
Afternoon: Working in teams, participants develop the foundations of their communication strategy by defining communication objectives, identifying audiences and developing key messages. The day concludes with short team presentations and expert feedback.
Day 2: Explore the Possibilities
Morning: Participants explore how communication products, storytelling techniques and communication channels influence audience engagement. Through an interactive Communication Inspiration Lab, they rotate through expert-led stations showcasing a range of communication formats, including video, podcasting, photography, publications, social media, design and emerging technologies such as AI.
Afternoon: Teams develop their communication concept, select the most appropriate products and channels, and receive coaching from subject matter experts. Through a dynamic team exercise, participants learn how to adapt communication strategies in response to evolving contexts, competing priorities and emerging challenges—an essential skill for communication professionals. The day concludes with team presentations and expert feedback on each proposed communication strategy.
Day 3: Create
Morning: Expert sessions focus on creating compelling communication products through storytelling, content development and visual communication, while introducing practical approaches to measuring communication impact through monitoring, evaluation and learning.
Afternoon: Participants work in a collaborative Communication Studio to develop prototypes of their communication products with guidance from communication specialists. The day concludes with a prototype showcase and peer feedback.
Day 4: Refine and Present
Morning: The final day begins with practical sessions on pitching communication ideas and delivering persuasive presentations. Teams then participate in a Coaching Studio to refine both their communication products and their final presentations with support from facilitators and subject matter experts.
Afternoon: During the Communication Showcase, each team presents its strategic communication solution to an expert panel acting as the client. Teams demonstrate their communication product, explain their strategic decisions and reflect on how they adapted their solution throughout the programme. The course concludes with expert feedback, reflection and key takeaways for applying the learning in participants' own professional contexts.
Team
The course is provided by the Learning Innovation Programme of the ITCILO. Massimiliano Leone, Melisa Zelaya, Nina Minadakis, and Arekpitan Ikhenaode will be your facilitators and coaches. They will be joined by a team of international communication experts who will inspire you with personal stories, inspirational talks, and out-of-the box ideas.
Previous speakers
- Roxanna Samii, Former Chief Digital Strategy at UN Environment: Roxanna is a highly accomplished communication professional with extensive experience in international financial institutions and the United Nations. She is a skilled social media strategist with expertise in knowledge management for development.
- Jennifer Hauseman, Former Director of Communication and Information Management at the International Committee of the Red Cross: Jennifer is a seasoned expert in communication and information management, specializing in humanitarian work. She spearheaded modernizing initiatives, digitizing communications and implementing human-centered project management.
- Alessandra Vellucci, Director at United Nations Information Service: Alessandra is a distinguished leader in public information, communications, international relations, and training within the United Nations. She held progressive positions, including Chief of the Intergovernmental Support Service at UNCTAD in Geneva.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the programme and the final team presentation, participants will receive an ITCILO Certificate of Achievement, recognizing their successful completion of the Communication for Development programme.
Participants will leave with:
- a completed communication strategy;
- a prototype communication product;
- practical templates and communication tools;
- expert feedback on their work; and
- new approaches that can be immediately applied in their own organizations.
Why join?
Communication is no longer simply about creating content—it's about designing communication that drives change.
Whether you're advocating for policy reform, engaging donors, communicating organizational change or inspiring communities to take action, this programme will help you build communication strategies that are audience-centred, evidence-informed and action-oriented.
Learn from United Nations professionals and international experts. Collaborate with peers from around the world. Develop practical communication solutions to real-world challenges.
Are you ready to design communication that creates impact?
Tailor-made course
Looking for a learning experience tailored to your specific needs? Our Learning Innovation team specializes in creating customized design thinking and communication workshops that cater to the unique requirements of local, national, and international stakeholders.
Whether you need a workshop that addresses specific challenges in your organization or are looking to enhance the communication skills of your team, we can create a programme that aligns with your objectives.
Our customized workshops go beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all approach. We leverage design thinking methodologies to ensure that the learning experience is engaging, interactive, and highly relevant to your context. By collaborating closely with you, we develop a programme that addresses your specific challenges and empowers you to achieve your goals effectively.
Contact our team today to explore the possibilities and learn more about our customized learning experiences.