Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO)

SAWBO is a science-based civic education program based out of the University of Illinois which works to create accessible videos into a diversity of languages from around the world. Our work is to help guide them in best practices and strategies to promote these videos to the necessary audiences.

A social media strategy was developed to promote videos created by the Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) that focused on methods to protect yourself against COVID-19. With the COVID-19 video being the first of our promotions, we were able to reach over 10.4 million viewers and acquired over 15.8 million impressions in just one month on Facebook. This resulted in a huge increase in video views, helping to get their important messaging to those who need it most.

In continuation with our work with SAWBO to promote their educational videos, we developed a broader communications plan to increase their project’s reach online, as well as an acceleration plan to promote a video animation on Jerrycan bean storage. This animation explains how to avoid insect damage when storing beans after harvest using the jerrycan method and is a great resource for farmers in rural communities. The acceleration plan aimed to promote the video in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Bangladesh. Focusing on Facebook promotion for this video as well, the total reach of the project exceeded 10 million. Further acceleration plans are being developed to promote new video animations on YouTube and Facebook.

Follow SAWBO on Facebook.