Opportunities in NGO-Community Radio

Collaboration and Partnerships

June 18, 2015 – Washington Hotel

Getachew Simie

Working with Community radio stations

Public broadcast serviceControlled by a public body and its budget is determined through parliament (House of People Representatives)

Commercial broadcast serviceFor profit – Owned and controlled by private individuals or by commercial enterprises

Community broadcast serviceA non - profit service Owned and managed by a particular community .

Relevance of community radio for local NGOs and CBOs

Development oriented, Accessible , Easy to operate, Low cost.

Challenges of community radio stations Lack of information about the mission and purpose of NGOs, Lack of knowledge the way how approaching NGOs,

Challenges of NGOs Low understanding on the role and effectiveness of CRs, Limited knowledge on the programing and target audience of

CRs,

Relevance, challenges and opportunities

What opportunities community radios can offer to NGOs M&E tool: Proven/effective tool to monitor progress of development

projects. Impact/result based monitoring, communications and learning Enhance local community governance and leadership Promote documentation and dissemination of good practices from

programs/projects (Newsletter Vs CRs) Avoid duplication of efforts in program/project implementation at local level Raise awareness on the process and results of social accountability Problem identification: Participatory in dealing with the issues that affect

the communities, Gender issues and participation in development activities and processes.

Gender mainstreaming, etc. Neglected sections of the society (Disabled, women, Orphans, etc.)

What opportunities NGOs can offer to CRs Enable the CR broadcasters to engage on reporting and setting agendas on

PBS and SA, Deliver skills and resources that can make CRs effective and efficient, Creating alternative means of income to CRs.

Opportunities

How we are getting coverage ? Past experience, Contacting the station managers, Develop communication and negotiation, organize brainstorming

session with CRs, Develop and produce message and stories, Active participation in dealing with issues raise in CRs, Involve broadcasters as stakeholders in project development and

implementation.

How we can cooperate and collaborate with CRs? Content and format of CRs programs , Sponsorship, Buying air time, Message delivery, Advertisement, Train the journalists (program makers) of CRs, Creating sustainable partnership.

Cooperation and collaboration