Recommendations on Improving Twinning
related Information and Communication Activities


Developed During Two Workshops
held on 25 and 30 June 2009
Accepted at the Twinning Networking Meeting

held on 9 July 2009

The members of the TWG BA-s Working Group having discussed Information / Communication for Twinning including the role of websites and the utilisation of the TWINS (Ukrainian Twinning Information Management System) during two Workshops (25 and 30 June respectively) have agreed to present a series of observations and recommendations to the participants of the 09 July 2009 Twinning Networking Seminar and the respective organisations. More than 70 representatives of Ukrainian Ministries / Agencies who participated in the TWG Networking Meeting approved the following Recommendations:

1.    Potential and actual Beneficiary Administrations (together with Managers and Coordinators) of the Twinning Programme are strongly advised to pay attention to the development of appropriate information and communication activities regarding Twinning since information / communication is regarded as one of the four basic preconditions of successful Twinning operations.

2.    Beneficiary Administrations are advised to start intensive Twinning related information / communication activities already at an early stage of preparation of their respective Twinning projects. Only this can ensure that by the time the particular Twinning projects start the necessary amount of specialists will have been made aware of the aims, targets and methodologies of the Twinning project and activity. This may save significant time for the RTA-s and increase the efficiency of the project.

3.    The PAO and ITO projects are requested to propose a basic template of information regarding the use of the Twinning instrument possibly to be placed onto the websites of Beneficiary Administrations under a separate menu item or heading called, ‘Twinning Project’ or other appropriate titles.

4.    Beneficiary Administrations are recommended to intensify contacts and exchange information regularly on Twinning issues through their own websites and the two central Twinning websites of www.center.gov.ua and www.twinning.com.ua. This includes exchanging news or any other relevant information as well as methodological cooperation regarding development of information and communication activities. Such cooperation should be in-line with corresponding Ukrainian regulations.

5.    Workshop participants intend to continue engaging in the Working Group in order to follow through on subsequent and more detailed measures regarding website development and utilisation of TWINS. The next Workshop is tentatively planned not later than 15 September 2009.

6.    The next Workshop should include an updated composition of participants from the BA-s: those in charge mainly of web content management and maintenance at the ministries and agencies should participate to a greater extent. Working Group participants agreed to inform the ITO/PAO about the wider circle of interested experts for the next Workshop.

7.    Organisers of the Working Group agreed to prepare specific and more detailed and feasible proposals for the BA-s regarding the utilisation of TWINS. Particpants, in turn, agreed to review these proposals and discuss them within their own institutions as well as during the next meeting.

8.    The ITO project is advised to create a special forum on its website www.twinning.com.ua for the purpose of information / communication activities. As much as possible, discussion of the aims, documents, comments, recommendations and opinions of Twinning BA-s and other stakeholders should positively affect cooperation between the parties and increase the quality of Twinning operations in Ukraine.

9.    Participants suggested that a ‘Twinning E-Community’ be formed, which would enhance the exchange of links (information / communication and technical possibilities) amongst the participants of Twinning projects. Later, it could be widened to ‘Twinners’ of other countries.

10.     Designers of Twinning projects (and their budgets) are advised to consider requirements of an intensive information / communication activity prior to and within the Twinning project. Resident Twinning Advisers are advised to promote the creation of respective websites and other information / communication tools within the Twinning projects.

11.    Networking activities should be intensified and utilised for enhancing information and communication for Twinning.

12.     Participants recommend that the Head of the Civil Service of Ukraine and the PAO consider the possibility of issuing framework rules for promoting information / communication activities at the ministries / agencies regarding Twinning.