Liberal Communicators Network (LCN): Non-Profit Academy

About the Academy 

The LCN Non-Profit Academy will empower liberal communicators to adapt cutting-edge communication strategies, innovation, and marketing trends for the specific context of the mission-driven sector. By innovating non-profit communications, liberals will be better equipped to win hearts and minds, influence shifts in values and behaviour, and achieve societal change for a forward-looking Europe. 

LCN strives to develop a professional community of non-profit communicators from civil society organizations, foundations, think tanks, and change-makers, working on liberal topics. Join the Academy and this European network of marketing professionals.

The Academy ‘Make a Good Message Better’ offers 11 sessions online (2 May- 15 June).  The two high-profile webinars, and five specialised hands-on workshops with thought leaders, best-selling authors, and world-class trainers will inspire, enable and bring everybody on the ‘same page’ with the latest trends.  Topics span across non-profit brand management, strategy, communications, digital and content marketing, creativity, behavioural science and more.  

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The Academy in Short

Short online sessions spread out over two months, at the end of the business day  
 90 min webinars with thought leaders, such as Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman, Ogilvy, UK; TED Global Speaker with millions of views; Best-Selling Author of “Alchemy” 

120 min online hands-on workshops with world-class trainers specialized in non-profit marketing and rich consulting experience from USA: Kivi Leroux Miller (USA), CEO of Nonprofit Marketing Guide, Award-winning Author “Content Marketing for Nonprofits”   and Farra Trompeter (USA), Co-Director, Member-Owner, Big Duck   
All successful alumni will become members of the LCN professional community of liberal marketers and communicators in Europe.   
This LCN Academy focuses on the liberal non-profit actors, not on political parties.  
Lead Facilitator: Sven Gerst, PhD Student in Political Economy at King’s College London; Former Secretary General of IFLRY; a renowned international facilitator and moderator.  
The top 2 alumni will be offered an all-expenses-covered trip to Belgium for an in-person LCN Communication Masterclass, organized by ELF Secretariat in autumn 2023.

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Application Criteria  

Work fully or part-time on communications.  
Work or volunteer in an ELF organisation and FNF; partners of ELF and FNF; liberal civil society organisations and activists in Europe. The ideal combination per country: a representative of ELF member, FNF and local liberal organisation. 
Applicants cannot be candidates at elections (at any level of governance). 
Completed Application Form. 

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Assessment Criteria

Commitment to active participation in all Academy sessions is of utmost importance. 
Regardless of your current level of communications expertise, what will be prioritised is a dedication to learn on the job and grow professionally in the communications field. 
Previous work experience and professional/academic qualifications in communications are welcomed but not required. 
Teams with limited communications capacity and resources will be given special consideration.  
Willingness to pay forward the gained knowledge in your organization. 
Passionate to join and contribute to developing a pan-European community of non-profit communicators. 
Preference for participants from East and Southeast Europe. 
Alumni of previous LCN Editions (Non-profit, Youth, Masterclass) are allowed to apply again, as the programme is different. However, priority will be given to new applicants and not members of LCN. 

Programme

Schedule is in CEST (UTC+2) Brussels time

Lead Facilitator: Sven Gerst

Tuesday, 2 May 

17:00 – 18.30 Meet & Greet – Introduction to LCN

Thursday, 4 May 

17:00 – 18.30 Mapping Where Do You Stand? Assessing: Strategic Communication

Lead Facilitator: Sven Gerst

Tuesday, 9 May 

17:00 – 19:00 Workshop Part 1: The Missing Magic in Your Communications Strategy: Choosing the Right Objectives

Trainer: Kivi Leroux Miller (USA), Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Marketing Guide. Author “Content Marketing for Nonprofits”

Thursday, 11 May 

17:00 – 19:00 Workshop Part 2: Comms Planning and Workflow Tools That Make Life Easier

Trainer: Kivi Leroux Miller (USA), Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Marketing Guide. Author “Content Marketing for Nonprofits”

Monday, 15 May 

17:00 – 19:00 Workshop Part 3: Content Marketing Secrets for Successful Non-profits, TBC

Trainer: Kivi Leroux Miller (USA), Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Marketing Guide. Author “Content Marketing for Nonprofits”

Wednesday, 17 May 

17:00 – 19:00 Workshop Part 4: Diversifying Your Writing Styles to Reach the Right People

Trainer: Kivi Leroux Miller (USA), Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Marketing Guide. Author “Content Marketing for Nonprofits”

Session in either week 22- 25 May or 29 May – 1 June (TBC)

17:00 – 18:30 ‘Marketing is Alchemy’ Inspirational Talk (TBC)

Speaker: Rory Sutherland (UK), Vice Chairman, Ogilvy, UK; TED Global Speaker; Best-Selling Author “Alchemy”

Session in either week 22- 25 May or 29 May – 1 June (TBC)

17:00 – 18:30 Inspirational Talk with Thought Leader (TBC)

Tuesday, 6 June

17:00 – 19:00 Workshop Part 1: ‘Establishing your Nonprofit’s Brand Personality’ 

Trainer:  Farra Trompeter (USA), Co-Director, Member-Owner, Big Duck 

Thursday, 8 June

17:00 – 19:00 Workshop Part 2:  ‘Brand Refinement’

Trainer:  Farra Trompeter (USA), Co-Director, Member-Owner, Big Duck 

Thursday, 15 June

17:00 – 19:00 Consultations & Graduation