LESSON
Lesson Learned: Governance and Transparency through Radio in Southern Africa
The project made a difference, certainly in Zambia, and, in the case of some communities in Malawi, within the target areas, in improving the understanding of development issues and of the value of community organization in advocacy with local authorities in seeking support to solve local problems.
Project Partner
Panos Southern Africa
Project Description
The project aimed to enhance dialogue between poor citizens across the Southern Africa region and policy-makers at local level. It also aimed to enhance the responsiveness and accountability of government institutions. To do this the project established Radio Listener Clubs (RLCs) and the produced interactive radio programming to bring citizens’ voices to the attention of a wider audience, and to bridge the gap between local decision-makers and poor rural and urban communities. Despite problems the project succeeded in producing and broadcasting a substantial set of programmes by both the community rural and urban radio stations. In at least three of the participating countries, the project increased awareness and knowledge of development issues and encouraged dialogue within communities to determine priorities for advocacy with local government. In Zambia the Project contributed in some way to increased engagement between the poor and local decision-makers in the rural target areas.
Report
Evaluation Date
October 2011
Theme
Country