2024 in Review, 2025 in Focus

Welcome to GDG Inspire’s newsletter, The StratComm Pill!

In this first issue, we take a look back at GDG Inspire's 2024, taking stock of the milestones, projects, and achievements that defined this year. This edition reflects on the foundations we have built and the impact we have made.

2024 in Review: Building GDG Inspire's Outreach & Engagement

Our Company Page soon to celebrate its first anniversary

In January, we launched our company page with the goal of becoming a trusted partner for public and private organisations seeking (innovative) solutions in national security, defence, and crisis communications. 

12 editions of The StratComm Pill in 6 months:

In June, we introduced The StratComm Pill as a bi-weekly newsletter where we offer expert insights and interviews on latest strategic communication trends. Each month, one edition features an interview with an expert, while the second edition provides an in-depth analysis of pressing issues in the field. Don’t miss out — subscribe here!

The new-born: the DSC2 Community

In December, we launched Defence, Democracy and Security Strategic Communication Community (DSC2), a hub for strategic communication experts in the fields of democracy, security and defence. We create a platform for project collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovative thinking to address the challenges of the contemporary security environment.

Participating/Speaking to Key Events:

Our team was present at multiple high-profile events, including The International Center of Excellence For Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism - Hedayah's International Research Conference and Communications EXPO 2024, Europol ECTC Advisory Network Gen Z and (Counter-) Terrorism, the Manfred Wörner Seminar and the Security Research Event (SRE). These gave us opportunities to exchange ideas with leading international experts, feeling the 'pulse' of current stratcomm conversations, and promote an integrated approach to stratcomm.

Projects and Partners we have engaged with:

We collaborated on diverse impactful projects funded by organizations like DG HOME, EEAS, DG CNECT, and private consultancies, expanding our contributions to policy-making in security and defence. 

Here are some highlights of what we delivered this year:

• Supported the strategic communication delivery of the #RANPolicySupport.

• Mapped strategic communication capacity in the EU and Western Balkans.

• Advised a Western Balkans government on crisis communication.

• Trained EU Delegations in Africa on communicating in hostile environments.

• Advised a Gulf Cooperation Council country on deep fake regulation.

• Organised a study visit in Estonia on the use of AI in P/CVE.

• Monitored the implementation of the DSA and the TCO regulation by key online platforms.

This year also saw the addition of exciting new clients to our portfolio, reaffirming our role as trusted advisors in the field.

Looking Ahead to 2025: A Year of Expansion and Innovation

Operationalising DSC2:

DSC2 - Defence, Democracy and Security Strategic Communication Community will be fully operational in 2025. Expect an exclusive event, a 2025 Think Piece where we will explore the challenges lying ahead for next year, and collaborations that will redefine how we address strategic communication in and outside government circles.

New Projects Incoming: 

2025 will see us expanding our scope, by working on projects that extend beyond the EU, and addressing global challenges in strategic communications.

Elevating Strategic Communication: 

Our primary goal is to promote stratcomm as a standalone policy area in security and defence, ensuring it receives the recognition it deserves as a tool in shaping narratives - as we are in a battle of narratives. We remain committed to promoting a more integrated approach between security and defence, which will ultimately improve societal resilience against malign activities. 

We will keep on supporting governments and organisations wishing to improve their strategic communication policies and approaches, through evidence-based initiatives and hands-on evaluation techniques.

Thank you for being part of our journey so far. We are ready to make the next chapter even more impactful.

Join Our Community

We are always searching for contributions to the field of strategic communication. If you are involved in or know of relevant events, projects, or initiatives, we encourage you to share these with us: info@gdginspire.com

Feedback and ideas are welcome and encouraged! Share your thoughts, insights, or suggestions.