Communication Officers Training in Romania: Promoting EU values through storytelling

How can storytelling help communicate EU values? That was the central question of CIOST 2025,  the annual residential training organised by SALTO Participation & Information for Communication and Information Officers from the National Agencies of Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps.

This year’s edition focused on the power of storytelling as a tool to effectively communicate and promote European values. The training was co-organised with ANPCDEFP, the Romanian National Agency, which hosted the event in Timișoara, Romania, a multicultural city with a rich legacy of democracy and civic engagement. CIOST training has been organised every year, serving as a key platform for strengthening collaboration, enhancing professional skills, exchanging best practices, addressing shared challenges, and fostering joint initiatives among participating National Agencies.

With the support of the DG EAC of the European Commission represented by by Daphne Robberechts from the Youth Unit of DG EAC, this year’s training that took place from 20 to 22 May, was facilitated by Carmine Rodi Falangaand Andrei Popescu, bringing together a vibrant community of communicators eager to reflect, exchange, and co-create. Participants had the opportunity to explore the power of authentic narratives, share both best practices and lessons learned from challenges, enhance their skills, and celebrate the most inspiring projects of the year.

The training concluded with a special CIOST Awards Ceremony, where participants themselves voted for the most outstanding projects and campaigns from the National Agencies:

• Best Campaign for Democratic Participation: Kristel Kaljuvee (Marketing Manager) and Meeri Pajula(Digital Marketing Specialist), Estonian National Agency – “Go Away” Campaign
• Best Engagement of Target Groups: Ivana Erceg Matijašević, Head of Communications, Croatian Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes – “My Erasmus+ Success” Social Media Photo Contest
• Best Event: Nicușor Ciobanu, Head of Communications, Romanian NA (ANPCDEFP) – European Rural Youth Summit
• Best Audiovisual Content: Alexandra Protasevičová, Social Media Specialist, Czech National Agency – Erasmus+ Mystery Trip Project
• Best Gift/Goodies and Best Pitch Awards: Julia Nemetz and Barbara Simhandl, Austrian National Agency – “All You Need Is… European Solidarity” Campaign.

CIOST 2025 highlighted the essential role of storytelling in making EU values relatable and resonant, equipping communication officers with inspiration and practical tools to amplify their messages across Europe. CIOST 2026 will take place in Cyprus, co-hosted by the Cypriot National Agency.