“It was two very productive days in keeping our skills current. Tacit and explicit knowledge (information, skills, or expertise) was exchanged among experts of our organizations. Skill-sharing not only bolstered our understanding, but helped create an archive of accessible knowledge. It helped us be more agile and adaptable in the face of change, and to ensure continued growth and survival. Nothing would be possible without the excellent organisation by the IMRF and the outstanding hospitality of the Swedish Sea Rescue Society. Thanks for everything, looking forward to the next meeting."

Rigas Tsitas, Secretary General, Hellenic Rescue Team

After the success of our first Fundraising and Communication Skills-Share hosted by KNRM in 2017, we held our second Fundraising and Communication Skills-Share, hosted by SSRS, in Gothenburg, Sweden, on the 17th-19th September 2019. Nine SAR organisations from across Europe took part, spending 2 days sharing and learnings from each other.

This year’s theme was “Engagement, How do we engage people, donors, members and volunteers to help save more lives at sea.” The keynote speech was delivered by Gustav Martner, a leading digital expert in Sweden who gave a thoughtful and insightful overview on creating engagement in the digital era.

After this, fundraising and communication specialists from different SAR organisations across Europe gave presentations. This included topics such as Crisis Communication, presented by Hellenic Search and Rescue and case studies of successful and in some cases not so successful fundraising campaigns delivered by each attending SAR organisation.

Integrated into the two days were group discussions, where delegates had the opportunity to discuss in-depth a range of topics, such as working with agencies to the management of social media platforms.

Like the first Skills-Share held two years ago, every delegate went away with new learnings to apply in their own SAR organisations.

The presentations, papers and photos will shortly be made available on the IMRF website, www.international-maritime-rescue.org, in the 'Members Only' section.

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