How LLP projects use Internet and social media for communication purposes: a desktop research

The Web2LLP project (“Improving Internet strategies and maximizing the social media presence of Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) projects”, http://www.web2llp.eu/ is a two-year project running from January 2012 to December 2013. The partnership consists of six project members: University of Luxembourg, Web2Learn, ATiT, Coventry University Entreprises, Pixel and PAU Education. The original idea for the project stemmed from the need that we felt, as project managers and members involved in LLP projects for several years, for skills and competences that were missing - in both technical and communication terms - regarding the effective use of Internet social media tools, and their embeddedness in the communication strategies that are fundamental to the success of an LLP project. We realized, through informal exchanges with colleagues at EACEA Info days and other project meetings, that although the social web is a reality that cannot be disregarded, its communication potential for LLP projects has not so far been exploited, due to a) a lack of information and appropriation opportunities regarding ways of effectively using these tools as part of a communication strategy, and b) lack of visibility of good practice regarding what is reasonable and achievable in an LLP context. Moreover, although communication is a fundamental piece of every LLP project proposal (one of the required work packages and also a feature under which the project is evaluated both in the intermediary and final reports), there are no guidelines on how to set up a coherent Internet strategy featuring social media tools appropriate to the project. Our project was designed to respond to these needs and it has been selected for funding in 2012 in the highly selective (7% success rate) KA4 action.