International Year of Soils logo guidelines

1. IYS 2015 logo

The IYS 2015 visual identity consists of a logo and the accompanying words “2015 International Year of Soils”. 

2. IYS 2015 logo block

The IYS 2015 logo block (logo and accompanying words) can be used in its three variants: horizontal (illustration 1), square (illustration 2), vertical (illustration 3).

The elements of the logo block can also be used independently: logo only (illustration 4) and text only (illustration 5). Please note the text can be placed on either side of the emblem.

3. Typeface
 
The accompanying words of the logo should not be modified in any way. Typeface should remain Frutiger Neue LT CYR  Condensed Light.  Also font size, colour, weight, alignment and spacing should not be modified.

4. Colour options

The colour options for the IYS 2015 are identified below.

• CMYK codes should be used for printed materials.
• RGB codes should be used for web, audio-visual material, etc.
• HEX (Hexadecimal colour) codes should be used for HTML.



5. Language options

The IYS 2015 logo, in all its variants, is available for use in all FAO official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The accompanying words of the logo - “2015 International Year of Soils” - can be translated into any language.  All new translations need to be validated with the IYS 2015 Secretariat at FAO.

6. Positioning of the logo

The IYS 2015 logo can be used alone or in combination with other logos.

The preferred option is to place the IYS 2015 logo in the top left corner of a composition (illustration 6).  Alternatively, the IYS 2015 logo can be placed in the lower right corner (illustration 7).

Illustration 8 provides guidance on the positioning of the IYS 2015 when used in combination with partners’ logos or project logos.  As overall guidance the IYS 2015 logo must be placed in the top left corner whereas the project logo must be placed in the upper right corner.  Observers’ and partners’ logos will be positioned in the bottom corners.

7. Misuse of the logo

National committees or other focal points for IYS 2015 observance are encouraged to maintain the core design of the logo and accompanying words when they develop communications materials such as a letterhead, website, brochure or poster.

The IYS 2015 logo should not be modified in any part. The logo should not be stretched, adapted using different colours or wrong colour options.

For more detailed design instructions, please contact the communications team at the IYS 2015 Secretariat at [email protected] 

8. Who can use the IYS 2015 visual identity?

The IYS 2015 logo may be used by individuals and NGOs/not-for-profit organizations for any promotional activities aimed at increasing awareness of the International Year of Soils, provided that these activities are consistent with the aims and principles of the IYS 2015 and not contrary to public order, morals or human rights.

All organizations that intend to use the IYS 2015 visual identity for fundraising activities must receive prior approval from the IYS 2015 Secretariat.

9. Uses of the logo

The IYS 2015 logo can be used by organizations or individuals who support the IYS 2015 goals and would like to help raise awareness of IYS. 

The logo is intended for two kinds of promotional use: information and fundraising, as outlined below.

a. Information uses of the logo

Information uses of the logo are those which are:

• primarily illustrative
• not intended to raise funds
• not carried out by a commercial for-profit entity

b. Fundraising uses of the logo

Fundraising uses of the logo are those intended to raise money to pay for activities related to sustainable management and protection of soil resources. They may only be undertaken by non-commercial not-for-profit entities. Permission to use the logo for fundraising purposes is given by the IYS 2015 Secretariat.

When requesting permission, please provide:

• a short statement of identity and general information regarding membership and objectives
• an explanation of how and where the logo will be used
• an explanation of the fundraising purposes

Before the logo is used for fundraising purposes, a waiver must be signed by the entity that is requesting to use the logo. Please write to the IYS 2015 Secretariat at [email protected] 

10. Liability

All entities authorized to use the logo, whether for information or fundraising purposes, must acknowledge that:

a. The entity is responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out in accordance with the applicable law and for ensuring that appropriate insurance is maintained to cover the risks arising out of such activities.

b. The United Nations and its agencies do not assume any responsibility for the activities of such entity.

c. The entity shall hold harmless and defend the United Nations, its agencies and its officials against any action that may be brought against the United Nations, its agencies and its officials as a result of the use of the logo.

When the logo is used for information and fundraising purposes, the language must be incorporated into a waiver of liability that is signed by the entity. The waiver of liability provided later in item 12 may be used.

National committees and other focal points for IYS 2015 activities should ensure that all contracts and waivers containing such language are obtained before the proposed activities are carried out.

11. How to obtain the high resolution logo

The high resolution logo and slogan in the six FAO official languages is available for download on the IYS website. If you require a larger size, please contact the  IYS 2015 Secretariat at [email protected]

12. Waiver of liability

The undersigned acknowledges that in using the high resolution IYS 2015 logo as explained in its submission dated ________________ to the IYS 2015 Secretariat:

a. The entity is responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out in accordance with the applicable law and for ensuring that appropriate insurance is maintained to cover the risks arising out of such activities.

b. The United Nations and its agencies do not assume any responsibility for the activities of such entity.

c. The entity shall hold harmless and defend the United Nations, its agencies and its officials against any action that may be brought against the United Nations, its agencies and its officials as a result of the use of the logo.

Signed: _____________________

Date: _________________

13. Recognition and sponsor identification

Depending on the type of sponsorship (world, country-only or event-specific), users of the IYS 2015 identity who are authorized by the IYS 2015 Secretariat to use the logo for fundraising purposes should be referred to as follows:

• Global level
o An IYS 2015 global sponsor
o An IYS 2015 global supporter
o An IYS 2015 global friend

• National/Regional level
o An IYS 2015 national/regional sponsor
o An IYS 2015 national/regional supporter
o An IYS 2015 national/regional friend

• Event level
o An IYS 2015 event sponsor
o An IYS 2015 event supporter
o An IYS 2015 event friend

In general terms, “Sponsor” and “Supporter” are intended to identify cash supporters, the size of the donation determining the nomenclature.  “Friend” can be used for in-kind donors or to identify a donor of some other type. The designations “Global”, “National/Regional” and “Event” must be used as indicated to avoid confusion between two sponsors.

Requests for industry exclusivity can be honoured, especially at the global level. Global sponsors are de facto national/regional sponsors and should be encouraged to participate at the national/regional level if it meets the sponsor’s marketing/communication objectives. Conversely, no regional/national sponsor can be offered exclusivity if a global sponsor from their industry is involved.

Support for communication and other projects can be acknowledged by the statements:

This ____________ was made possible by the generosity of ____________
This ____________ was created with support from ____________

Sponsors are limited to use of these associations, as well.

Sponsors may not refer to themselves by other terms such as:

• official sponsor of the International Year of Soils
• a patron of the International Year of Soils

14. Who can use the logos of the UN, FAO and other UN agencies?

These logos cannot be used without the permission of the UN and its agencies.