COST

Global Concept Consulting was awarded the 3-year framework contract to support the COST Association in the development and implementation of a long-term communication programme that promotes the uniqueness of COST and highlights the revolutionary scientific and technological results of its Actions.

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is the leading EU-funded intergovernmental framework, with 37 State Members and 1 Cooperating State Member, which enables researchers to set up their interdisciplinary research networks in Europe and beyond. COST is a building block of the European Research Area (ERA), instrumental for successful innovation strategies and global cooperation. Bringing the brightest minds from all locations together, it contributes to strengthen Europe’s research capacity and ability to innovate, addressing the biggest scientific, technological and societal challenges such as ageing, health, energy, mobility or climate change.

Mission

Our overall objective was the creation of communication materials that valorise the work of the COST association towards fostering the creation of excellence networks and incite the research and innovation community all over Europe and beyond to join this EU-funded programme.

Our mission is to develop impactful communication tools that are a powerful means to expand the number and outreach of these networks making the strategic priorities of this European Union instrument a reality: promoting and spreading excellence, fostering synergies, empowering talent.

The aim of our work is that supporters (European and national institutions) and, current and especially potential, beneficiaries of the COST programme concretely see its key role, the magnitude of the opportunities that it opens up and the long-term societal impact that its activities will bring.

Approach

Our strategic approach is based on taking on COST’s strong brand identity and content to a different higher level with each and every communication tool that we develop. Fresh, innovative, dynamic, inciting are key elements driving our creative work.

In order to reach our communication goals, careful attention is brought to articulating every communication material to its intended target audiences: corporate, institutional, researchers, innovators, general public. The richness and the diversity of formats that we develop enhance the quality and the outreach of the messages, establishing a significant differentiated presence in the audiences’ minds.

By highlighting the work of more than 45,000 researchers involved in the programme and reaching out to the large European and national public we continuously push up the communication and dissemination bar.

Results

Our graphic artists created an impactful brand identity and logos for the two main highlight initiatives kicked-off in 2017: COST Connect (a thematic multi-stakeholder workshops series) and COST Academy (a leadership, management and communication capacity-building programme).

The Annual Report, the Strategic Plan, the Corporate Brochure – key reporting and vision documents have been visually enhanced through enticing designs, impactful graphs and infographics and crisp layouts.
Country factsheets, projects booklets have been brought into the spotlight, increasing visibility of the COST programme, inviting readership, bringing to life success stories of the hundreds of projects each year.

With networking being one of its key activities, prepare COST to stand out during conferences and fairs has been a driving force of our communication work; presentation leaflets, captivating stand banners and roll-ups, conference folders, workshop materials, stimulated the presence and participation at major European fora.

Conclusion

Our understanding and familiarity with the research & innovation policy and the EU institutional environment and our communication expertise provide the COST association with fresh, modern and efficient communication tools, in a multitude of formats. They are essential to reaching COST’s communication goals of raising awareness, inciting participation and acquiring the well-deserved recognition from policy makers, researchers, innovators, private sector and the general public.

We have transformed this 3-year framework contract into a successful long-term partnership based on the principles of high quality, reliability, efficiency and impact.