Project Communication Plan

World Vision Community Health Project Communication Plan

The Community Health and Poverty Project falls under World Vision’s program of

improving health in affected areas within the regions that the non-governmental organization

operates. The objective of the program in the long term is to uplift the health status of the local

people and reduce child mortality, which encompasses maternity deaths and still births. The

project has a wide catchment, which depends on the effectiveness of communication between the

project proponents and stakeholders. The communication plan adopted by World Vision outlines

how information will be shared, exchanged, and distributed among project stakeholders

throughout the project lifecycle. The plan also helps ensure effective and timely communication,

reduces misunderstandings, and keeps everyone informed and aligned.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the World Vision Community Health Project communication plan are;

• To ensure that community members have access to information about essential healthcare

services, including preventive care, primary care, specialized care, and emergency

services.

• To educate the community about preventive measures to reduce the risk of diseases and

promote healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, vaccination, and

safe sexual practices.

• To inform the government about existing health disparities within the community by

targeting specific populations that may face barriers to accessing healthcare, such as low-

income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, or individuals with

disabilities.
 • To raise awareness and knowledge about prevalent health issues, such as chronic

diseases, mental health, reproductive health, substance abuse, or infectious diseases,

through community-wide campaigns, workshops, seminars, or informational materials.

• To empower the community members to actively participate in their own health and

engage them in decision-making processes related to healthcare services, policies, and

programs that affect their well-being.

• To help establish partnerships with local healthcare providers, community organizations,

government agencies, and other stakeholders to leverage resources, share expertise, and

create a coordinated approach to community health.

• To promote health literacy by providing educational materials, workshops, and resources

that are culturally appropriate, easy to understand, and accessible to individuals with

varying levels of health literacy.

STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS

 Identification of Stakeholders

The stakeholders will include World Vision, community members, local healthcare providers,

government agencies, community-based organizations, nonprofits, religious organizations,

educational institutions, businesses, and other entities that have a vested interest in the health and

well-being of the community.

 Stakeholder Influence and Importance

The communication system will consider factors such as their decision-making power, access to

resources, level of expertise, and potential impact on the project's success or failure.

 Stakeholder Interests and Objectives

The communication process will consider the interests, needs, and objectives of each

stakeholder. The objective of understanding the interests and objectives of each stakeholder is to

use the communication space to learn what they hope to achieve through their involvement in the

project and what concerns or challenges they may have. Surveys, interviews, focus groups, or

reviews existing documents and reports will be used in this process.

 Identification of Potential Alliances and Collaborations

Stakeholders who share common goals or have complementary expertise will be invited to build

alliances and collaborate with the project. The stakeholders will be valuable partners in

communicating, implementing and sustaining the community health project.

 Determination of Communication Preferences

The process will help the project understand how each stakeholder prefers to receive and

exchange information. Some stakeholders may prefer face-to-face meetings, while others may

rely more on written communication or digital platforms. Therefore, the project will tailor its

communication strategies to accommodate the preferences of different stakeholders.

 Engagement of Stakeholders

The communication encompasses an engagement plan that outlines how the community health

project will involve stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. A determination of the

appropriate level of engagement for each stakeholder, whether it's through regular updates,

consultation, collaboration, or participation in decision-making processes.

COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

1) Community Meetings

The project will organize community meetings in open spaces and town halls where project

updates, health information, and important announcements will be shared. The platforms will
allow for face-to-face interaction and the opportunity for community members to ask questions

and provide feedback.

2) Printed Materials

The project will also create and distribute printed materials such as brochures, flyers, posters,

and pamphlets. The printed materials will be placed in community centers, health clinics,

schools, libraries, and other high-traffic areas to raise awareness about health issues, promote

preventive measures, and provide information about available services.

3) Social Media

The project will utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and

LinkedIn to reach a wide audience within the community. The social media platforms will help

in sharing project updates, health tips, success stories, and upcoming events through regular

posts, videos, infographics, and live streams. Community members will be encouraged to like,

share, and comment on the content to increase engagement.

4) Community Radio and Television

The project will collaborate with local radio stations and television channels to broadcast health-

related content, interviews with project representatives, and public service announcements. The

approach will be effective in reaching populations with limited internet access or low digital

literacy.

5) Community Health Workers

The project will train and engage community health workers who can directly interact with

community members, provide health education, conduct surveys, and serve as a link between the

project team and the community. The community health workers will disseminate project-related

information and facilitate two-way communication.

 6) Partnerships with Local Organizations

The project will collaborate with local community-based organizations, schools, religious

institutions, and businesses to leverage their existing communication channels. The partnerships

will include distributing project-related information through their newsletters, bulletin boards,

community events, or public announcements.

COMMUNICATION MATRIX

Stakeholder Type of Information Communication Channels

Project Sponsor (World Overall project objectives, Meetings, emails, and project

Vision) achievements, and milestones reports.

Project Manager (World Project updates, risks, issues, Meetings, emails, project

Vision) and changes. software, status reports.

Project Team Members Task assignments, progress Meetings, emails, project

updates, dependencies. software, and instant

messaging.

Client or Customer Project status, deliverables, Meetings, emails, project

(Community or Beneficiaries) requirements, feedback. software, client portal, and

social media platforms.

Project Vendors or Suppliers Procurement details, contracts Meetings, emails, project

negotiations, and updates. software, phone calls, and

instant messaging.

COMMUNICATION SCHEDULE

 Monthly
Monthly newsletter distribution to community members, stakeholders, and project team

members, progress report shared with project sponsors and key stakeholders, and team meeting

to discuss updates, challenges, and upcoming activities.

 Bi-monthly

Community health workshops or educational sessions held in collaboration with local

organizations, social media content posting, including health tips, upcoming events, and success

stories, and meeting with community leaders to discuss project updates and gather feedback.

 Quarterly

Community health fairs or events held to provide health screenings, vaccinations, and promote

health services, stakeholder meetings to review project progress, discuss challenges, and align

goals and sharing of evaluation report with project sponsors and stakeholders.

 As needed

Ad hoc meetings or conference calls with specific stakeholders to address urgent issues or

changes, press releases or media statements issued for major project milestones,

accomplishments, or events, and targeted communication to address emerging health concerns or

emergencies in the community.

COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES

 Clear and Concise Communication

The project communication will be clear and concise, using simple and straightforward language

that is easily understood by the community members. Jargon or technical terms will be avoided

unless necessary, and explanations will be provided when using them.

 Cultural Sensitivity
The project communication process will respect the cultural diversity within the community and

be mindful of cultural norms, values, and sensitivities when communicating health information.

The project will use culturally appropriate visuals, language translations, and inclusive

messaging to avoid stereotypes or biases.

 Active Listening

Community health workers will be trained and encouraged to practice active listening when

engaging with community members or stakeholders. The community members will also be

educated on giving full attention to the speaker, ask clarifying questions, and reflect back to

ensure understanding. And to demonstrate respect, which will help build trust and rapport.

 Respectful Tone and Language

The communication process will use a respectful and positive tone in all communication. The

process will also avoid confrontational or judgmental language. All stakeholders, including

community members, colleagues, and partners, will be treated with respect and professionalism.

 Timely Communication

The project will ensure timely communication to keep stakeholders informed, provide updates

promptly when there are changes, progress, or decisions that affect the community health project,

and respond to inquiries and messages within a reasonable timeframe.

 Privacy and Confidentiality

The project will safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of community members' personal

health information, adhere to legal and ethical guidelines regarding the collection, storage, and

sharing of sensitive data and obtain consent and inform community members about how their

information will be used.

 Visual Communication
The project will utilize visual aids, such as infographics, charts, and diagrams, to enhance

understanding of complex health information. The visuals will be accessible, inclusive, and

culturally appropriate.

 Consistent Messaging

The project will maintain consistency in messaging across different communication channels and

avoid contradictory information and ensure that all stakeholders are provided with the same

accurate and up-to-date information.

EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK

The project will be transparent about the evaluation process and its purpose. The

communication process will clearly communicate the objectives, methods, and timeline of the

evaluation to stakeholders, including community members, project team members, funders, and

partners. The project will also involve stakeholders in the evaluation process to ensure their

perspectives are considered. By seeking their input and feedback on evaluation methodologies,

indicators, and data collection approaches, the project will build a sustainable relationship with

the community members. The project will also provide regular updates by communicating

evaluation progress and milestones on a regular basis. Updates will be shared with stakeholders

to keep them informed and engaged throughout the evaluation process. The project will use

newsletters, project meetings, or dedicated evaluation progress reports to achieve this.

The project will point out positive findings and successes of the community health

project in evaluation communication. To achieve effective communication, the project will

celebrate achievements to motivate stakeholders and reinforce the value of their contributions.

The project will use the communication process to address challenges and lessons learned. By

transparently communicating challenges and lessons learned from the evaluation process, the
project will achieve in sharing insights gained from both successes and failures. The project will

also use the communication process to carry out follow-up and action Planning. Evaluation

findings will be shared with stakeholders and discuss action plans based on the

recommendations. In conclusion, the project communication process will effectively

communicate how feedback and evaluation findings will be used to shape future strategies,

interventions, and resource allocation.