Deadline extended! Apply until January 31st. 

The Atlas of Innovation in Public Communication is an initiative led by UNDP to identify, celebrate, and amplify innovative approaches to public communication that strengthen openness, participation, inclusion, and trust.
Through this global effort, the initiative seeks to highlight practices that are redefining how institutions engage with people, particularly those historically excluded from decision-making processes.

Public institutions – together with civil society organizations, academia, media and communication practitioners that have been collaborating with public institutions – are invited to share their most creative and impactful experiences. 

Selected initiatives will be featured in a curated Atlas of Public Communication, gaining global visibility and contributing to a collective learning journey toward more effective governance.

What is Public Communication and Why Does it Matter?

Public communication is the strategic use of communication by public institutions and organizations that serve society, oriented toward the common good and designed to build bonds, foster inclusiveness, and generate social value. Unlike political communication, which is communication at the service of political competition, public communication seeks to prioritize public interest. 

Public communication is essential because it directly impacts the quality of public debate – and with it the quality of governance. In the absence of ethical and effective public communication, polarization deepens, misinformation spreads, and institutions lose legitimacy. But when done well, public communication can enable cooperation, strengthen resilience, and reinvigorate democratic practice.

This initiative recognizes that public communication is not a technical add-on. It is a vital element of effective governance, one that can inspire hope, mobilize collective action, accelerate development and empower people to shape their futures.

What we are looking for

We are seeking existing practices and new ideas that strengthen public communication around the globe, with a special emphasis on innovation, inclusion, and constructive dialogue. Submissions should fall into one or more of the following five categories:

1. Clarity in Action: Making complex issues understandable and accessible to all. We are looking for public communication practices that break down complex, technical issues into clear, relatable, and engaging content. Whether through storytelling, visuals, or plain language, these initiatives empower people to understand and actively engage with public matters that affect their lives.
2. Inclusive Voices: Broadening diversity and leaving no one behind. We seek public communication initiatives promoting a more inclusive public debate – a public debate in which all voices count. These initiatives are geared to reach different segments of society, including historically marginalized groups. They also create opportunities for different members of society to contribute in ways they are comfortable with.
3. Dialogue Builders: Bridging divides and fostering respectful exchange. This category recognizes public communication actions that promote constructive dialogue around highly divisive public policy issues. These initiatives create safe spaces, encourage active listening and promote mutual understanding, while respecting pluralism. In this way, they contribute to the reduction of polarization.
4. Trust Catalysts: strengthening public trust through effective and ethical communication. We are looking for public communication practices that strengthen citizens’ confidence in institutions without sacrificing transparency. These initiatives combine a commitment to evidence and openness with an emphasis on two-way engagement approaches and responsiveness to public concerns, including in times of crisis.
5. Exploring New Frontiers: public communication for the future. We seek imaginative uses of technology, media, social networks, platforms, and immersive experiences that connect public institutions with people in new, engaging ways. This includes fresh formats and methods (including but not limited to digital), creative approaches, and the integration of foresight methodologies.

Cross-Cutting Themes: Youth Inclusion, Intergenerational Dialogue, and Active Listening.

Across all five categories, we recognize the importance of youth inclusion, intergenerational dialogue, and active listening as essential cross-cutting elements. These dimensions enrich public communication by fostering diverse perspectives, building bridges between generations, and ensuring that all voices are genuinely heard. We encourage submissions that integrate these principles, as they contribute to more resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking public spheres.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through the official Application Form available in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• French
• Portuguese

More information can be found in the Detailed Information Notes available in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• French
• Portuguese
• Arabic 

Do you want to learn more about public communication? Click on this link to the video on public communication