Development of sustainable communications of higher education institutions in social media

"<< Background >>The COMSUS project emerged in response to the growing need for higher education institutions (HEIs) to develop effective sustainable communications in social media. With the implementation of Directive 2013/34/EU on non-financial reporting and the European Green Deal, HEIs faced new requirements to disclose their environmental and social initiatives. The pandemic period highlighted the importance of bringing human-centered approaches back into digital communications. Despite these challenges, HEIs lacked structured approaches and capabilities for sustainable stakeholder engagement through social media. Our research identified critical gaps in teaching staff's digital skills for educational content creation and communication managers' abilities to promote sustainability values. The project addressed these needs by developing comprehensive training programs and methodologies to strengthen HEIs' role as drivers of sustainable development through strategic social media communications aligned with EU priorities for digital transformation and inclusive education systems.<< Objectives >>COMSUS aimed to strengthen higher education institutions' capabilities in promoting co-creation of resilient, inclusive and sustainable society through strategic social media communications. The project sought to develop innovative e-learning solutions to enhance HEIs' digital competencies in two key areas: teaching staff's ability to utilize social media for educational content and personal branding, and communication managers' capacity to build sustainable institutional communications. Specific objectives included developing and piloting two specialized e-courses, creating a comprehensive manual for sustainable social media communications, and establishing a ""Hub of sustainable communications"" to facilitate knowledge exchange. Through these activities, the project aimed to support HEIs in implementing the European Green Deal and Skills Agenda priorities while fostering inclusive dialogue with stakeholders. The ultimate goal was to position HEIs as effective changemakers in promoting sustainable development values through modern digital channels.<< Implementation >>Implementation:The project successfully delivered five interconnected work packages focusing on developing innovative digital solutions for sustainable communications in higher education. The core activities included:WP1: Project Management - Coordinated by FZZ, ensuring effective partnership cooperation and quality monitoring through regular virtual meetings and systematic progress tracking.WP2: E-course ""The power of social media for teachers"" - Developed and piloted comprehensive training for academic staff across five countries, focusing on personal branding and sustainable development values promotion.WP3: E-learning course ""Sustainable SMM"" - Created specialized training for HEI communication managers on sustainable social media strategies, incorporating GreenComp framework principles.WP4: Manual ""Sustainable communication in social media for HEI"" - Produced practical guidebook supporting institutions in becoming changemakers through effective digital communications.WP5: Hub of sustainable communications ""COMSUS"" - Organized 15 webinars, international brokerage events, and 5 multiplier events engaging over 600 participants, establishing lasting networks for knowledge exchange.<< Results >>WP1 - Project Management:- 4 Physical TPM meetings (TPM1 Lisbon, TPM2 Wismar, TPM3 Mugla, TPM4 Warsaw)- All financial and administrative documentation delivered on timeWP2 - E-course ""The power of social media in teachers' development"":- Complete e-learning course developed and piloted- 153 teaching staff trained across 5 countries (received certificates), 219 enrolled. DOUBLED the number of trained staff as per application- High satisfaction rates in evaluation surveysWP3 - E-learning course ""Sustainable SMM"":- Comprehensive training program for communication managers- 247 communication specialists trained with certificates (TRIPLED the numbers in application, 345 enrolled.- Successful pilot programs in all partner countriesWP4 - Manual for HEIs:- Digital manual ""Sustainable communication in social media for HEI""- Practical guidelines for sustainable communicationsWP5 - Hub of sustainable communications ""COMSUS"":15 webinars conducted with 601 total participants (DOUBLED objective from application)3 international brokerage events organized (90 participants as per goal)5 multiplier events (we attracted 334 attendees on Multiplier Events from target group, 47% more than in the application form (230)"