BACKGROUND
Community radios are a major information source in Mozambique’s rural areas. A 2015 Eduardo Mondlane University study revealed that community radios can reach approximately 2/3 of the population, with the largest numbers of listeners concentrated in the two most populous provinces of Nampula and Zambézia. However, due to poor journalistic skills and ethical standards, lack of financial sustainability, and low levels of direct community engagement, the potential for community radio to inform and empower Mozambican citizens has not been fully realized.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Working in the Zambézia, Nampula, Niassa and Cabo-Delgado provinces, USAID CORAGEM will provide support to approximately 50 community radios (CRs) with training in journalism techniques and media management skills. At least 50 of the participating CRs will also receive more targeted assistance including advanced journalistic and ethics training, financial and organizational management training, and increased community engagement. Particular emphasis will be placed on engaging youth through the development of CR “youth accelerators” that provide information targeted toward youth, promote discussions and encourage positive behaviors among youth. Overall, by improving the CRs capacity, the program expects to see Mozambican citizens better informed and motivated to take decisions, change behaviors and improve their civic engagement and participation.
EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACTS
The activity will improve the capacity of targeted CRs to provide credible information to citizens by:
- Increasing skills of 116 CRs journalists.
- Improving financial sustainability of 50 CRs
- Establishing between 16 to 30 CR youth accelerators and training 714 members.
- Strengthening CRs’ ability to engage communities, generate behavior change and improve civic participation.
