With the aim of making AUS more visible and recognised as a volunteering organisation, it will implement a long-term online and offline communication and promotion strategy. The campaign “Becoming an Earth citizen” strives to widen recognition and strengthen the image of volunteering amongst Icelandic youth by placing emphasis on the values of non-formal and intercultural learning. The implementation of the campaign will comprise various stages of action and consist of specific marketing tools and methods.

TIME TABLE:

Research: October-November 2016

• A theoretical overview of marketing and communication concepts and theories was prepared. AUS’ team met to develop ideas and define general milestones for the campaign.

Investigation: October-December 2016

• Schools, universities, events, pub/clubs, sport clubs were visited by the AUS team to observe, spend time with and talk to the young target groups in order to get a better understanding of their values, motivation, ambitions, choices and ideals.

Partnerships: Start December 2016

• Since the start of December 2016, AUS has been involved in establishing new relationships with high-schools and implementing “volunteering clubs” led by youth ambassadors (former volunteers), as well as finding new partner projects abroad.

Improve website and social media marketing: October 2016 – August 2017

• Its visibility strategy includes updating the English version of its website, establishing an internal web database of volunteers and creating a newsletter distribution through the usage of Mailchimp.  It will create, upload and post new content on a regular basis through its social media platforms to attract more young people to AUS and international volunteering.

Marketing materials: May 2017

• It has developed new marketing material: a new logo and corporate identity design suited to its young audiences, as well as leaflets and poster, which will be distributed in schools, universities, local cultural centres, bars and cafes all around Iceland.

Infield communication: November 2017 on a regular basis

• AUS will organise  regular monthly events in collaboration with local youth centres, e.g. concerts, discussions, workshops and trainings to promote the value of volunteering, non-formal and intercultural learning.
  Through its various actions and activities, AUS seeks to have a far larger following on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat…), boost its website traffic, increase the numbers of young Icelanders volunteering abroad in ICYE short and long-term programmes and develop strong, new international partnerships for volunteers from Iceland.

EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:

„Earth citizens“- 19/01/2017
– An open workshop and discussion on topics such as tolerance, inclusion and equality.

This event aimed at raising awareness of the ways discrimination affects our daily lives and to inspire civic action in this fight against racism and discrimination. Following the workshop there was a speech from a special guest from Somalia, who narrated his personal story about being an immigrant and asylum seeker in Europe.

“Precious Travel Mementos” – Jewellery making workshop on 02/03/2017

Under the careful supervision of an experienced art teacher and jewellery artist Sabrina Meyns, participants created their own jewellery from the mementos they had brought back with them from their trips (a nice stone, piece of wood, flower, leather, postcard…). After an introduction to the art of jewellery-making, participants reflected on their travels and related ideas for jewellery before getting down to the creative work which involved 20 people.

Venue: Hitt Húsið Pósthússtræti 3 -5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Photos from the jewelry making workshop
SPACE

“Anti-Social Media” – Lecture and Discussion on 27/04/2017

Lecture, workshop and discussion supervised by Dino Ðula – journalist and media educator from Croatia.

The goals of the lecture were to have an understanding of “New Media” and learn how to use digital technology more effectively.

Agenda:

• Introduction to media and its history
• “New media”
• Practical examples to help distinguish virtual reality and the real life
• The “anti-social” aspect of social media (e.g. cyber bullying, online distractions, virtual relationships, loss of privacy)
• Creative case study group work to help find ways of combating these challenges

The event was streamed live on the Facebook page of AUS.

Venue: Hitt Húsið Pósthússtræti 3 -5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

The flyer AUS sent out to inform people about the event.
SPACE

Picture of Dino Ðula giving the lecture on “New Media”
SPACE

Participation in European Youth Week

Since 2003, European Youth Week has provided a popular and exciting opportunity for young people to get involved in EU politics by sharing their opinions and learning about opportunities offered to them by European Programmes. On the website of the European Youth Week organisations can register events that they are organising in connection with the European Youth Week and everybody is invited to join.

AUS was part of the European Youth Week and organised series of well-being events in the University of Iceland and a promotional stand, where students during could get a healthy AUS-snack during their exams. Through the course of the week, AUS organised different events in the different locations of the University of Iceland. There was a meditation class, an African dance class and a cosy concert in the student’s bar.

See pictures from the week here:

School Visits

From January to May 2017, AUS has visited 6 high schools around Iceland, where students learnt about the ICYE Federation and its volunteering programmes. The aim of the visits was to inform students about the range of volunteering options available and how they could fit volunteering into the intense scholastic schedules. At each school visit, students received information on steps involved in doing volunteering following which former volunteers shared their personal experiences.

The schools visited include:

• Framhaldsskólinn í Mosfellsbæ,
• Kvennaskólinn í Reykjavík,
• Menntaskólinn í Kópavogi,
• Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík,
• Tækniskólinn, skóli atvinnulífsins,
• Hörðuvallaskóli

The next school visit is scheduled at Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð in February 2018.