COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FOR BORDER 2020
February 2013
Effective communication is critical to the success of the U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program: Border 2020, a
program in which border stakeholders, and federal, state and local governments collaborate to identify and
discuss environmental and public health protection in the border region. Therefore, through this
Communication Strategy Border 2020 will emphasize the importance of communication so that border
stakeholders are well informed, engaged, and committed to Border program activities.
In order to maintain an efficient and effective communication strategy, two audiences (internal and external)
were identified. Internal Communication is defined as the exchange of information amongst Border 2020
participants: National Coordinators offices, Policy Fora, Regional Workgroups, task forces, U.S. Border Tribes
and Mexico Indigenous Communities, and other partners. External Communication is defined as the
dissemination of information geared towards the external audience including federal and state organizations
not directly involved with Border 2020, potential stakeholders, academia, the private sector, the general
public, and others interested in Border 2020 progress, success and activities.
It is important to note that even though the implementation of this guidance is recommended to help with the
program's general communication, it is not all-inclusive. Each coordinating body, especially at a Regional/local
level, can later adapt theses strategies (or develop its own communication approach or individual strategy) to
address its particular needs.
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The communication strategy will be led by the Border 2020 National Coordinators, represented by the Office
of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA) in EPA and the International Affairs Coordinating Unit (UCAI) in
SEMARNAT. They will coordinate and implement the communication strategy with Program representatives
and stakeholders, by establishing a Communication Advisory Committee. The National Coordinators will make
sure that the information related to the program's progress and successes is shared and made public in a
timely manner, and that messages are bi-national, consistent, and uniform.
Communication Advisory Committee Tasks
1.	Identify bi-national issues requiring the attention of the National Coordinators and/or other
participants in the program.
2.	Maintain close collaboration with Border 2020 operational staff to maximize communication
opportunities within the program.
3.	Publish Border 2020 successes using at a minimum, the following tools: EPA and SEMARNAT websites,
email databases, press releases and progress reports. In addition, it may be necessary to identify
venues and public events to share program progress and activities.
4.	Ensure that the communication is in English and Spanish (reports, agendas, press releases, meetings,
etc.).
5.	Identify tools to better communicate internally and externally.

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INTERNAL COMUNICATION
Objective:
The objective is to promote effective and timely communication that will allow for a successful Border 2020
Program. This will be accomplished through close collaboration with key stakeholders and keeping the public
informed about program progress. This strategy aims to facilitate a more efficient and effective Border 2020
Program.
The internal Border 2020 audience includes Border 2020 participants: National Coordinators offices, Policy
Fora, Regional Workgroups, task forces, U.S. Border Tribes and Mexico Indigenous Communities, and other
partners.
The following mechanism provides the basic components to promote effective "internal" communication
among the Border 2020 Program partners, a responsibility of the Communication Advisory Committee.
Mechanism for effective internal communication
•	With the information provided by Policy Fora, Regional Workgroups, and Taskforces, the committee
should ensure that meeting agendas and minutes/notes are published in EPA and SEMARNAT websites.
•	Produce and distribute the Joint Communique for the Border 2020 National Coordinators biennial
meetings.
•	Coordinate and distribute Reports on Program progress and successes.
•	Coordinate conference calls and/or webinars, as appropriate, among the coordinating bodies
(EPA/SEMARNAT), Policy Fora, Regional Workgroups, and other partners to discuss specific and/or
short-term issues not related to the normal activities of the Policy Fora and Work Groups.
•	Attend Policy Fora, Regional Workgroup, and Taskforce meeting, based on available resources.
•	Update the Border 2020 websites: (www.epa.gov/border2020)
(http://www.semarnat.gob.mx/temas/internacional/Paginas/Regional.aspx) or those designated by
the program.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION
Objective:
To meet the communication needs of border communities and other interested parties in an efficient and
timely manner and communicate Border 2020 progress. The external audience includes federal and state
organizations not directly involved with Border 2020, potential stakeholders, academia, the private sector, the
general public, and others interested in Border 2020 progress, success and activities.
The Border 2020 program external communication will complement ongoing communications of the Policy
Fora, Regional Workgroups and Task forces, in which representatives from the community, civil organizations,
academia, private sector, and the public, can present environmental issues specific to the border region, and
consider ideas to increase program efficiency and effectiveness.
To reach the external audience, the Communication Committee will take advantage of the Policy Fora,
Regional Workgroups and Task force meetings, to include a public comment period in their respective
agendas, to get input from stakeholders and the public. These opportunities for public dialogue should not
interfere with the time required to fulfill scheduled program activities
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The following mechanism provides the basic components to promote effective "external" communication
among the Border 2020 Program partners, a responsibility of the Communication Advisory Committee.
Mechanism for effective external communication
•	Provide border communities and other external partners with thorough, clear, objective, concise, and
pertinent information related to Border 2020 policies, programs, and initiatives;
•	Ensure that the Border 2020 public meetings and events are announced at least 15 days in advance;
•	Communicate results to the public and the media, in a timely and clear manner to ensure that Border
2020 is widely recognized;
•	Utilize different ways to communicate Border 2020 information to border communities and interested
parties, including press releases, press reports, and the posting of information on EPA and SEMARNAT
websites;
•	Identify additional communication needs as the Border 2020 program is implemented to periodically
consider ongoing Border 2020 policies, programs, and initiatives;
•	Respond in a timely manner to requests for information on Border 2020;
•	Ensure that Border 2020 staff provides timely and effective communication to border communities and
interested parties;
•	Increase efforts to involve elected federal, state and local public sector representatives to Border 2020
meetings and events; and
•	Highlight Border 2020 efforts in SEMARNAT'S Annual Activities Report and EPA's Annual Report.
BORDER 2020 COMMUNICATION PLAN
The following tables provide the schedule of communication activities to be implemented by the National
Coordinators, the Regional Offices, and the Policy Fora. These activities are not all-inclusive and each group is
encouraged to augment and complement the current list with additional tools and materials as deemed
appropriate by the respective program or office. While the designated lead office is responsible for the
implementation and delivery of each communication activity, many of these deliverables are related to other
sources and will often require the input and review of each group. This list may be subject to change given the
priorities of the National Coordinators and the lead offices.
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National Coordinators (EPA/SEMARNAT

Type of Communication
Purpose of
Communication
Audience
Lead
Minimum
Frequency
National Coordinators
Meeting
Engage public, update,
inform, discussions
All Stakeholders
OITA/
SEMARNAT
Biennial
Joint Communique
Statements of NCM
proceedings and
commitments
All Stakeholders
OITA,UCAI,
NPMs, Regions
Biennial
Border 2020 Media products
(press releases, advisories)
Broadcast news,
updates and event
information
Media, all
stakeholders
SEMARNAT, OITA
Periodic, as
needed
Program Co-Chair U.S.
National Coordinator Video
Call
Internal items
OITA, NPMs R6, R9
OITA
Bi-annual
Border 2020 Program
Conference Calls/
Communication with Program
Partners
Discuss specific Border
2020 Program issues
as needed
OITA, NPMs, R6, R9,
States, Tribes
OITA
As Needed
Border 2020 Fact Sheets
Communicate
progress on goals and
objectives
All stakeholders
SEMARNAT, OITA
As needed
Border 2020
Webcasts
(where available)
Broadcast live events
and speeches to
coordinated groups
All stakeholders
SEMARNAT,
OITA, R6, R9
At meetings and
events as needed
Border 2020
ListServs (BECNET & others)
Communicate news,
request feedback,
update, survey
All stakeholders
SEMARNAT,
OITA, R6, R9
Periodical and
updated as
needed
Border 2020 Website
Communicate all
program information
and links
All Stakeholders
OITA, R6, R9
Periodic Updates
SEMARNAT Border 2020
Website
Communicate all
program information
and links
Border residents
SEMARNAT
Periodic Updates
Border 2020 Highlight Reports
Report on Border
2020
accomplishments
All Stakeholders
SEMARNAT,
OITA, R6, R9
2015, 2018
Border 2020 Mid-term
Progress Reports
Assessment of Border
2020 goals and
objectives and
possible refinement
All Stakeholders
SEMARNAT,
OITA, R6, R9
Mid-term 2016
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EPA Regions 6 & 9
Type of Communication
Purpose of
Communication
Audience
Content Lead
Minimum
Frequency
Border 2020 Highlights
Reports
Share program goal
progress
All stakeholders
SEMARNAT,
OITA, R6, R9
Bi-annual
(2015,2018)
Border 2020 Program Regional
Workgroup, coordination
Engage partners,
action planning
Border 2020
Regional Workgroup
and Task Force Co-
chairs
R6, R9
As needed
Regional Border 2020
Newsletters
Project updates, goal
progress
All Stakeholders
R6, R9
Bi-annual
Press Releases
Broadcast news,
updates and event
information
Media, all
stakeholders
R6, R9
As needed
Action Plans
Identify priority
projects/activities
All Stakeholders
SEMARNAT,
OITA, R6, R9
Biennial
Regional Workgroup and Task
Force Meetings
Engage public, update
on progress, and
share information.
Communicate
meeting
announcements,
summaries, and
outcomes.
All Stakeholders
R6, R9
RWGs - Annual
Task Forces - As
Needed
Policy Fora (US-Mexico Co-chairs and leads)
Type of Communication
Purpose of
Communication
Audience
Lead
Minimum
Frequency
Annual Forum meetings
(Virtual, phone or face-face)
Engage public, update
goals, and inform.
Communicate meeting
announcements,
summaries, and
outcomes.
All Stakeholders
Policy for a Co-
Chairs
Annual, as needed
Conference/Video Calls/Web
Posting
Communicate updates,
news and deliverables
Border 2020
Partners
Policy Fora
Every Six Months
Action Plans
Identify priority
projects/activities
All Stakeholders
Policy Fora
Biennial
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