How do you communicate effectively in low-resource settings?

1 Assess your needs and resources

Before you start any communication activity, you need to assess your needs and resources. What are the objectives and expectations of your communication? Who are your target audiences and what are their preferences and capacities? What are the available channels and platforms that you can use? How much time, budget, and staff do you have? By answering these questions, you can identify the most suitable and feasible communication methods and tools for your project.

2 Choose appropriate technologies

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for communication in low-resource settings. You need to choose the technologies that best match your needs and resources, as well as the context and culture of your audiences. For example, you may use SMS, voice calls, radio, or offline apps to reach people who have low internet connectivity or literacy. You may use social media, video conferencing, or cloud-based platforms to collaborate with remote team members or partners. You may use mobile data collection, GIS, or drones to monitor and evaluate your project outcomes. Whatever technologies you choose, make sure that they are accessible, affordable, reliable, secure, and user-friendly.

3 Adapt your content and style

Communication is not only about the technology, but also about the content and style. You need to adapt your content and style to suit the channel, platform, and audience that you are using. For example, you may need to use short, simple, and clear messages for SMS or radio, while you may use more visual, interactive, and engaging content for social media or video. You may need to use formal, polite, and respectful language for official or external communication, while you may use informal, friendly, and supportive language for internal or peer communication. You may also need to consider the cultural, linguistic, and ethical aspects of your communication, such as using appropriate symbols, colors, images, tone, and terminology.

4 Test and improve your communication

Communication is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You need to test and improve your communication regularly to ensure that it is effective and relevant. You can use various methods to test and improve your communication, such as feedback surveys, focus groups, interviews, analytics, or user testing. By testing and improving your communication, you can measure its impact, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and make necessary adjustments or changes.

5 Learn from others and share your experiences

Communication is not a solo activity, but a collaborative one. You can learn from others and share your experiences to enhance your communication skills and knowledge. You can join online or offline networks, communities, or groups that are related to your field or interest. You can attend webinars, workshops, or trainings that offer practical tips and insights on communication. You can read blogs, articles, or case studies that showcase successful or innovative communication practices. You can also share your own experiences, challenges, or lessons learned with others who may benefit from them.

6 Be flexible and creative

Communication is not a fixed or rigid activity, but a flexible and creative one. You may encounter unexpected or changing situations that require you to adapt or improvise your communication. For example, you may face technical issues, security risks, or communication gaps that affect your communication. You may also encounter new opportunities, demands, or feedback that require you to update or enhance your communication. In such cases, you need to be flexible and creative, and use your problem-solving, critical thinking, or innovation skills to find alternative or better solutions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?