Lessons from the ENRD

Development of the ENRD brand

Towards the end of the second year (2009-2010), as the volume of products began to grow, it was recognised that a clearer and more consistent brand identity was needed for the ENRD. The most significant milestone was achieved in the third year of operation (2010-2011), when an ENRD motto was introduced - ‘Connecting rural Europe’ – as part of a new visual identity.

This change had several direct and indirect effects on how communication activities were planned, linked and delivered. Dissemination planning for any new initiative was now considered as an intrinsic part of individual work plans from the outset. The branding approach to network activities has clearly contributed to raising awareness and recognition of the ENRD among a wider group of stakeholders, providing new avenues to promote the work of the network in support of its objectives.