This 55-page report is the result of an impact study commissioned by the Division for Culture and Media with the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). It comprises an overview and summary of the three separate impact studies of three radio stations supported by Sida via the East African Community Media Project (EACMP). The objective of the studies was to identify the “Most Significant Change” in the communities served by each station. The study reports the most significant change to be in participation involving empowerment and change, with most people's responses falling into that category.

The EACMP is a sub-regional initiative involving 4 partners in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, which has developed three community-owned and managed radio stations. The project is designed to strengthen the capacity of the involved communities to formulate, articulate, and implement their development agendas; to provide a means of accessing information in a timely and strategic manner; and to develop the radio stations to maintain high quality broadcasting standards, be of high integrity, and engage the listening public in professional programming.

The studies done in the communities were designed to identify the most significant positive (and negative) changes in poverty, and to assess if, how and to what extent the radio stations have contributed to this change. These changes were divided into three general categories: changes in people's livelihoods; change in their participation involving empowerment and change; and changes in sustainability of people's institutions and activities.

Some specific changes mentioned include: listening to one another as people of the same culture and community; attitude change on education of Maasai children, especially girls; improved governance and transparency; socio-economic equality of women leading to the ability to voice their concerns and issues; communication leading to improved awareness; recognising people's rights; knowing the value of information; and the promotion of people's participation. Changes under the other categories included improved health; improved efficiency in managing livestock; increased awareness about the environment and conservation; a wider range of livelihood options; general poverty reduction; and reduced crime and tension.

The study found that the presence of the radio stations had an overall positive impact on poverty in the 3 communities. According to the authors, the stations have empowered the communities through reinforcing identity and dignity; providing information on rights, furthering governance, transparency, and peaceful development; and by generating in general a new dynamic of dialogue and debate. The stations also provided choices to the listening community, who according to the authors, have become subjects of their own development processes. The stations have also improved livelihoods in the area by providing information on important topics such as trading and business development; by empowering women to be more economically active; and by improving health.

The report also includes a number of recommendations focusing on changes in the three communities caused by the radio, and the sustainability aspects of the radio. These fall under several categories: ensuring continuation of the overall development framework of the EACMP; further promoting the social sustainability aspects of the radio; strengthening institutional sustainability; enhancing financial sustainability; and replication of the initiative.

Click here to read an article about the project on the Communication for Social Change Consortium website entitled "Stories of Community Radio in East Africa: Powerful Change."

Malmo University Communications for Development course website on April 14, 2009.