2011 Activity ReportFondation Hirondelle

There is no year that is easy when it comes to getting funding for independent information in crisis zones. But some years are more difficult than others. 2011 was one of those. Most probably the overall amount of money attributed did not decline, rather the contrary, but funding was less flexible than in the past. Funding allocations focused on geographical regions considered strategic or priority, or on tried and trusted areas of intervention. There was no space allowed for other geographical and thematic areas. Despite this general context our donors, who have acted as real partners, finally enabled us to pull through. The results achieved through the exceptional commitment of those working for Fondation Hirondelle are the best thanks we can offer them.

Jean-Marie Etter, CEO

Navigating Tricky Waters

In line with its own rules, Fondation Hirondelle had to say goodbye at the end of 2011 to three key members of its Board who have been active since the early days: Philippe Dahinden, one of the founders, Patrick Pépin and Jean-Pierre Gontard. Without them Fondation Hirondelle would not be what it is today. If the Fondation has gained respect and recognition over the years, it is thanks to their untiring commitment. So we would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts. The growing respect for Fondation Hirondelle’s work enabled us to bring on board to replace them three well respected personalities: Dick Marty, Jacques Forster and Serge Michel. With them, we are sure that we can continue pursuing our path. In 2011 we were also able to start in-depth discussions with one of our main funders, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), on our strategic vision and medium-term goals, so as to be able to conclude a stronger partnership. The initial discussions were very encouraging. We hope to conclude them successfully in the current year. This would enable us to approach the years ahead with more serenity, so as to meet the challenges of providing transparent, non-partisan information.

Serge Chappatte Chairman of the Hirondelle Board

Sad Goodbyes and New Prospects

Foreword

© Radio Okapi journalist reporting in Rutshuru, eastern DRC (Photo : Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/FH).

Uncertainty over the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commis-sion, CENI, to organize presidential and legislative elections on November 28 persisted up to the last minute. There were numerous violent incidents involving supporters of the outgoing president Joseph Kabila, those of opposition leader Etienne Tshisikedi and the security forces. The elections finally took place on the appointed date. The population turned out massively to vote. A number of incidents nevertheless marred polling day, including late opening of some polling stations, lack of electoral material, attempted and confirmed cases of fraud and acts of violence.

The results were announced on December 9 by the CENI and then confirmed by the Supreme Court of Justice: Joseph Kabila was re-elected President with 48.9% of the vote, with Etienne Tshisikedi in second place with 32.3%. But the latter proclaimed himself president. This did not stop the official inauguration of Joseph Kabila on December 20. With insecurity still high in the east and other parts of the country where militia are active, the post-electoral period ahead looks uncertain.

Radio Okapi A National, Independent Media Outlet in the Democratic Republic of Congo

© Photo : G. Dubourthoumieu/Fondation Hirondelle

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Electoral Year

Expansion of Activities in the DRC

Fondation Hirondelle is participating in the “Media Sector Development Program” (MSDP), led by the NGO Internews. This programme includes support to Fondation Hirondelle and Radio Okapi’s partner radio stations in four provinces: Bandundu, Katanga, Maniema and South Kivu. The support includes training in management and marketing, technical assistance and financial support through the Hirondelle Communication project. The Hirondelle Communication network was set up in 2010 to give NGOs and aid agencies the possibility to broadcast messages throughout the DRC in exchange for a financial contribution. This contribution goes to the radio stations in the network in the form of fees or technical assistance. In 2011, this network was structured and developed. At the end of the year it included about 30 beneficiary radio stations. These activities are complementary to those of the Radio Okapi project, which remains at the heart of Fondation Hirondelle’s presence in the DRC.

Electoral coverage

Radio Okapi really played its role in the November 28 presidential and legislative elections. The sometimes violent incidents and chaotic organization of the vote presented a challenge for Radio Okapi. Journalists

In 2011 Radio Okapi received funding support from the following donors:

- United Kingdom- Belgium- Sweden - Netherlands- France - UN agencies

Fondation Hirondelle is a partner of Internews in the Media Sector Development Program, financed by the United States.

To listen to Radio Okapi’s programmes live, or download them as podcasts, visit its website at:

www.radiookapi.net

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© Radio Okapi listeners (Photo : Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/Fondation Hirondelle).

MONUSCO

had to be balanced in their coverage, reporting the incidents and problems without taking sides, distorting the facts or being overly negative. The challenge was met with professionalism. Reactions from listeners, website visitors, observers and international media bear witness to this. They all hailed Radio Okapi’s work and the unique role that it plays in the DRC context. At the height of the electoral period, Radio Okapi’s website registered a record number of visitors. It had more than 1 million visitors in November and 2 million in December.

Training of local trainers

Radio Okapi took an important step with the training of trainers selected from amongst its most experienced local staff. They subsequently conducted a series of workshops in the provinces for journalists in regional stations of Radio Okapi and partner radio stations. These training sessions enabled Radio Okapi to create a correspondent network. This network of correspondents allowed Radio Okapi to widen its electoral coverage to some one hundred more places around the country. Correspondent contributions to Radio Okapi’s broadcasting have since become a regular thing, and have allowed it to stay more in direct touch with daily realities in all the regions of the DRC.

Radio Ndeke Luka A Radio for Peace and Development in the Central African Republic

© Presenter of Radio Ndeke Luka morning programme (Photo : Dario Baroni/Fondation Hirondelle).

© Photo : Dario Baroni/Fondation Hirondelle

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Presidential and legislative elections took place in the Central African Republic on January 23, after being postponed several times. Incumbent president François Bozizé was re-elected in the first round for a second five-year term, with 64% of the vote. Former head of state Ange-Félix Patassé, who was overthrown by Bozizé in 2003, came second with 20% of the vote. The opposition, which was very divided, decided to boycott the second round of the legislative elections. It denounced many irregularities, which were also signalled by international observers. The president’s party, the KNK, obtained a big majority in the National Assembly.

On the security front, the weakness of the State authorities outside the capital Bangui continues to weigh on local populations, who are subject to abuses by armed groups. The process of disarming the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) allowed the disarmament of some 4,800 fighters. However, their reintegration into Central African society remains uncertain. In addition, the presence of foreign armed groups continues to threaten stability in the North and East of the country, and indeed in the whole sub-region.

Presidential continuity

Covering the Electoral Process

Radio Ndeke Luka continued to play a central role for the public and for the local media. For the January presidential and legislative elections, it provided people with informative, educational and cultural programmes in French and Sango. Special programmes and debates were aired during the campaign and on election day. Neither the government nor the opposition ever challenged the impartiality of its electoral coverage. Radio Ndeke Luka greatly strengthened its interactivity with listeners, introducing into almost all its programmes slots for their questions, with listeners participating live by SMS, telephone or Internet. The correspondent network was expanded to ensure coverage of news in all the provinces and most isolated areas, thus strengthening Radio Ndeke Luka’s identity as a national broadcaster. Radio Ndeke Luka’s work was recognized with the “Fini Kodé Prize for good citizenship”, as well as many messages of congratulation for its election coverage from various groups of observers and from the High Communication Council.

Ways of Broadcasting

Shortwave broadcasting across the whole country continued reliably throughout the year. On the other hand, plans to install a new FM transmitter

In 2011 Radio Ndeke Luka received funding support from the following donors:

- European Union- Switzerland- National Endowment for Democracy- Cordaid- Belgium- City of Lausanne

To listen to Radio Ndeke Luka’s programmes, visit its website at:

www.radiondekeluka.org

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© Radio Ndeke Luka Studio (Photo : Samuel Turpin/Fondation Hirondelle).

in 2011 had to be postponed for lack of funding. A new version of the website was introduced, offering a full range of professional services, such as podcasts, RSS feeds, live streaming of programmes, free access to text and audio archives. All these services are available in a version for those without high-speed Internet connections. The website registered a sharp rise in the number of visitors during the electoral period.

Sustainability and Transfer to Local Actors

A Central African woman was appointed Director in December, following an open and transparent selection process. On the institutional front, the Board of Fondation Ndeke Luka assumed more responsibilities and signed funding contracts in its own name. The advertising agency of Fondation Ndeke Luka managed to generate revenue equal to 25% of the radio’s operating budget. Fondation Ndeke Luka’s Training Centre also launched its training activities which are available for all actors in the Central African media sector. The centre conducted two specialized training courses for about 30 participants from the written press, public and private broadcasters, while four students from the National University of Bangui followed a one-year practical internship at radio Ndeke Luka.

Radio Miraya A National, Independent Radio Station in South Sudan

© Popular vote in Sudan (Photo : Tim McKulka/UNMISS).

© Photo : Paul Banks/UNMISS

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The independence of South Sudan, voted by 98.83% of southerners, was followed by a difficult divorce. Armed clashes between Sudan and South Sudan, enemies once again, broke out at their disputed border. Other contentious issues include how to share oil revenue and mutual accusations of support for the other side’s rebels.

The humanitarian situation worsened to an alarming degree, notably in Abyei. Some 100,000 civilians were displaced from this border town after it was occupied by Sudanese troops. The situation was also worrying in Southern Kordofan, on the Sudanese side of the border, where 140,000 civilians fled bombing by their own country. The Nuba people in Blue Nile state suffered the same fate, with 8,000 fleeing, including some to Ethiopia. In Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, the few demonstrations protesting against the high cost of living were quickly repressed by the police.

South Sudan was rocked by ethnic conflicts between tribes. Meanwhile, two leaders of rebel movements, George Athor in South Sudan and Khalil Ibrahim in Darfur, were killed in December.

Independence

The Pulse of the new Nation

Radio Miraya was the only independent, national media outlet to cover in a professional way the January referendum on independence for South Sudan which led to the creation of a new country. During the seven days of voting it was able to rely on teams of journalists in Khartoum and Juba, plus 34 reporters across the country. In July, Radio Miraya covered the declaration of independence of South Sudan. The radio also kept its listeners informed about the armed conflicts in Abyei, despite difficulties in accessing this border region. It also helped promote dialogue between tribes in conflict in Jonglei state in South Sudan.

Redeployment to South Sudan

With Khartoum no longer accepting the presence of the United Nations Mission in Sudan after the expiry of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a new mission, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), was set up. Thus when its offices were closed in Khartoum, Radio Miraya’s operations also had to be relocated to South Sudan, as part of a continuing partnership between Fondation Hirondelle and UNMISS. Administrative difficulties had to be overcome to move the radio’s equipment, reorganize its team and transform it into a South Sudanese radio station. The editorial strategy that was adopted respects continuity in

In 2011 Radio Miraya received funding support from the following donors:

- Germany- Switzerland- Sweden

All Radio Miraya’s programmes are available round the clock at:www.radiomiraya.org

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© South Sudan independence celebrations (Photo : Tim McKulka/UNMISS).

Radio Miraya programming, with a focus on the development of South Sudan, human rights, North-South reconciliation and entertainment. Programmes are broadcast in English, the official language of South Sudan, and Arabic, which is widely spoken in the country. Radio Miraya has 26 transmitters, allowing good coverage of the country. Regions that are still not reached on FM receive three hours a day of programmes on shortwave. The website, www.radiomiraya.org, also allows people to follow Radio Miraya’s programming live.

Training opened to other radiosRadio Miraya continued training for its staff and eight managers. It opened four of its training sessions to journalists from other private and public radio stations in South Sudan. Radio Miraya also took four students from the University of Juba and two interns as trainees in its editorial team.

First steps towards sustainabilityDiscussions on the future of Radio Miraya continued between the partners. It was decided to conduct a preliminary study. Fondation Hirondelle also approached actors in the South Sudanese media sector with a view to evaluating the possibility of long-term partnerships and setting up joint activities.

Radio Tunisienne Support to the National Radio Station in Tunisia

© Journalists of the special electoral team, October 2011 (Photo : Ziad Darwish/Fondation Hirondelle).

© Photo Samuel Turpin/Fondation Hirondelle

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The opening up of the country that started in December 2010 has raised high political, economic and social expectations among the population, as well as in the field of public freedoms. The first free and transparent elections took place on October 23, 2011, to elect 217 members of the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly was to adopt a new national Constitution, elect a new President of the Republic and appoint a new government. The political liberalization led to the creation of more than 150 parties, meaning that the political choice was widely scattered. To elect the 217 members of the Constituent Assembly, Tunisian voters had to choose from 1,517 lists, including 654 independent. The islamist party Ennahdha emerged the biggest winner, winning 89 seats. The results were validated by all the national and international observers.

Since the government took office, Tunisia has been rocked by much social unrest and growing splits between supporters and opponents of government policy. Thousands of people regularly demonstrate against repeated attacks on fundamental rights.

After the revolution

Support to Election Coverage

Fondation Hirondelle and Radio Tunisienne started working together in July 2011, with the immediate aim of offering Tunisians full, impartial coverage of the historic October 23 elections to the National Constituent Assembly. Radio Tunisienne was able to rely on its network of nine radio stations (four national and five regional), which together cover the whole country. By adopting a participative approach and mobilizing the human and technical resources of the nine stations, Radio Tunisienne was able to offer unique coverage and to play a key role in informing and educating citizens. Throughout the electoral period it offered a new type of daily programming, combining accurate, balanced, independent news, reports from across the country, civic education, political programmes with strict adherence to equal time slots, and interactive discussions. It deployed 50 journalists across the country who came in live throughout the 36 hours of live programming on election day and on the day that the results were announced. An “Elections Special” section was also developed for the website.

Electoral Charter A Radio Tunisienne Electoral Charter was the self-regulatory tool established for the electoral period. It sets down the principles governing programmes

In 2011 project activities in Tunisia received funding support from the following donors:

- Switzerland- European Union

Fondation Hirondelle is a partner of IFES for implementation of “Tunisia, Supporting a Democratic Transition”, a programme funded by the United States.

© Polling station in Gafsa, October 23, 2011 (Photo : Samuel Turpin/Fondation Hirondelle).

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and online content. This Charter was studied and approved by the National Committee of Information and Communication Reform, INRIC.

Participative support

Given the strong demand in a post-revolutionary context for all staff of Radio Tunisienne to be involved, Fondation Hirondelle and Radio Tunisienne decided to create a Mixed Consultative Committee to coordinate and evaluate all activities. For the next phase of the partnership, the aim is to gradually put in place at Radio Tunisienne an internal structure in line with the professional standards of benchmark international media. This has already started at two pilot stations, Radio Jeune in Tunis and the regional station Radio Gafsa, whose capacity has been strengthened by recruiting correspondents and installing studios in the troubled areas of Sidi Bouzid, Kasserine, Kebili and Tozeur. Since December 2011, Fondation Hirondelle has been registered in Tunisia as an international NGO.

Hirondelle News AgencyInternational Justice News Agency at the ICTR in Arusha and the ICC in The Hague

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© Photo : Fondation Hirondelle

The ICC caught headlines worldwide with the announcement of judicial procedures against top political leaders in Kenya, Libya and Ivory Coast. It issued summons for six Kenyans including Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta to appear before the Court in April and again in September, accused of leading the violence that followed 2007 presidential elections. In December, Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast became the first former head of state to be transferred to the ICC, also accused for his role in post-election violence.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) strived to meet UN targets for completion of its work. Its trial and appeals courts together handed down a total of nine judgments, involving 22 individuals. These included former top political and military figures. Among them was Pauline Nyarumasuhuko, the first woman to be tried for genocide by an international court. The ICTR must finish all its first instance cases by July 2012 and wrap up all appeals cases by the end of 2014 at the latest.

Also in 2011, the Special Court for Sierra Leone in March wrapped up hearings in the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.

Important Developments in

International Justice

Coverage extended to the ICC

The Hirondelle News Agency, based in Arusha, Tanzania, has been covering trials at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) since they started in 1997. It remained in 2011 the only news agency covering these trials regularly in four languages: English, French, Kinyarwanda and Swahili. The year was marked by the expansion of its coverage to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to wider international justice issues. As well as a small team of Tanzanian and Rwandan journalists in Arusha, the Agency also has a network of correspondents around the world. This network was expanded in 2011 to provide wider coverage, as well as more local reactions and perspectives from countries such as Kenya and Ivory Coast affected by developments at the ICC. The network now includes correspondents in The Hague (Netherlands), Kigali (Rwanda), Nairobi (Kenya), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Paris (France) and Brussels (Belgium).

Development of the website

The website www.hirondellenews.org was reorganized in early 2011 to integrate coverage of the ICC and allow it to be archived on the site. The site’s archiving and search engine facilities allow easy searches by case, date

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In 2011 the Hirondelle News Agency received funding support from the following donors:

- Belgium- Switzerland- Fondation Karl Popper

Hirondelle News Agency’s output ever since it started can be accessed on the website:

www.hirondellenews.org

© Initial appearance of Laurent Gbagbo, former president of Côte d’Ivoire, before the ICC in December 2011 (Photo : CPI)

and timeline, by keywords, language and category. All the Agency’s production is archived on the site and can be downloaded for free. There is also an E-mail service, whereby subscribers can receive dispatches directly in their E-mail in-boxes. The development of Hirondelle News Agency in 2011 was accompanied by a 46% rise in the number of visitors to its website and a 21% increase in the number of subscribers to its E-mail service. The Agency now has nearly 1,800 subscribers, including international and African media outlets, news agencies, universities, NGOs and individuals.

Synergy with Fondation Hirondelle radio stations

Hirondelle News Agency dispatches are used and quoted by international and regional media, including Fondation Hirondelle’s leading radio stations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Radio Okapi), the Central African Republic (Radio Ndeke Luka) and South Sudan (Radio Miraya). Together these radio stations can reach some 30 million people and ensure broadcast of international justice news to the populations directly affected by ICC cases. Synergies between the Agency and the radio stations were strengthened during the year.

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Development of New Projects

© Photo : Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/Fondation Hirondelle.

There are millions of people across the world who do not have access to independent information. Fondation Hirondelle works in a strictly defined context, according to the goals established in its Statutes. It takes the initiative itself in developing new projects, and does not seek to reply systematically to all public calls for proposals in the fields of emergency humanitarian and development assistance.

This approach makes the new project development process long and difficult. Work undertaken in 2010 on possible projects in Cambodia and Guatemala had to be abandoned in 2011. An idea for a project in Khartoum, Sudan, which was well received by certain donors, is still on hold in a political and media context which is particularly delicate. For certain big projects, Fondation Hirondelle in 2011 began envisaging joint action with other independent organizations sharing the same goals.

Challenges

Multiple Needs

Fondation Hirondelle has been working since October 2010 to develop an independent radio project in Guinea. The country has been waiting for legislative elections ever since Alpha Condé was elected president in summer 2010. The transition is thus proving long, and has been marked by sporadic periods of tension. The state of the media in Guinea is similar to the state of politics: public debate is possible, because there are many radio stations and press outlets and the private media have a lot of room for manoeuvre, but the debate is conflictual. Lacking training and experience, the press is often excessive, and the authorities often react harshly against it.

In 2011, Fondation Hirondelle conducted two missions to the capital Conakry and laid the basis for a project focused on launching a new, independent radio station. Several local actors are expected to participate in this project, as well as other NGOs supporting the public and private media in Guinea, and the University. The project should start in 2012 if it gets the necessary funding support from donors.

Palestine, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra LeoneIs there need for a new, independent media project in Palestine? In response to questions about this, Fondation Hirondelle commissioned a

In 2011, the following country funded the survey of media in Palestine:

- Switzerland

Fondation Hirondelle is developing projects with the following operational partners:

- Hope Flowers School, Bethlehem- Fourah Bay College, Freetown

© Photo : Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/Fondation Hirondelle.

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survey of the Palestinian media sector, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Out of 192 media outlets in this region, 184 responded to the survey questionnaire. The survey shows that media consumption patterns are very modern. 70% of Palestinians have access to Internet, most of them at home. The majority surf the Web every day. The survey confirms not only Palestinians’ persistent thirst for information, but also the need for national media outlets that are credible and impartial. Fondation Hirondelle hopes to develop in the medium term a project that responds to this need. To that end, it is continuing its partnership with the Hope Flowers School in Bethlehem.

In 2011 Fondation Hirondelle also maintained contacts and continued to seek funds for projects close to its heart. In Sierra Leone, the partnership with Fourah Bay College, part of the University of Sierra Leone, is on hold until funding can be raised. The same goes for an independent media project in Somalia. In Madagascar, Fondation Hirondelle is still studying the possibility of a project focused on journalism training. A first exploratory mission was also conducted to Côte d’Ivoire, where international operators may be able to make a welcome contribution to the process of normalization that is now under way.

Dreams and Realities

Funding from Hirondelle USA, the foundation supporting Fondation Hirondelle in the United States, allowed an old dream to become a reality: bringing together in Switzerland the editors of all Fondation Hirondelle’s media outlets. Thus it was that 12 editorial managers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Tanzania, The Hague and Lausanne gathered together in Caux, near Montreux. The participants were able to exchange experiences, to conclude that they share a common vision and editorial practices, brainstorm on synergies and propose new editorial projects. Fondation Hirondelle is encouraged by the success of the meeting and hopes to organize other similar ones for local managers of its media outlets.

Fixed-term Consultancy Work Fondation Hirondelle started making its expertise available to emergency humanitarian aid and development organizations on a fixed-term basis. This expertise, acquired over more than 15 years, includes evaluating media support projects, evaluating a media context, media sustainability, media management, media law, conception and implementation of radio programming, technical equipment and covering elections. Fondation

Developing Fondation Hirondelle

© Editors’ meeting in Caux (Photo : Jean-Luc Mootoosamy/Fondation Hirondelle).

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© Photo : J-L Mootoosamy/Fondation Hirondelle

The financial difficulties of 2011 put a lot of pressure on the headquarters of Fondation Hirondelle in Lausanne, which does most of the planning, fundraising and monitoring for all projects. The economic and political climate led several donors to be more restrictive or slower in their decision making. Fondation Hirondelle had to abandon some of its plans for headquarters development. There were also cutbacks in staffing. The Project Managers and Specialists in Lausanne had to redouble their efforts to ensure that most operations could continue in good conditions.

The Annual Meeting in September, which brings together top managers based in Lausanne and in the project countries, enabled the launch of a new development phase starting in 2012.

A difficult year

For more information, visit Fondation Hirondelle’s website:

www.hirondelle.org

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© Editors’ meeting in Caux (Photo : Jean-Luc Mootoosamy/Fondation Hirondelle).

Hirondelle got a first consultancy contract in 2011, under which it will conduct missions to Bangladesh, starting in early 2012. Fondation Hirondelle wishes to develop its fixed-term consultancy work in the future and to make itself known as widely as possible.

New partners

Partnerships with the United Nations have become a hallmark of Fondation Hirondelle over the years, but it has never partnered closely with another big international organization active in the media sector. In 2011, a long-term project started in the DRC in partnership with the American NGO Internews. The two organizations are working together to build the technical, editorial and revenue-generating capacity of a big network of community radio stations. This new experience is proving effective and very positive.

Also in 2011, an agreement came into force between Swiss Television and Radio and Fondation Hirondelle. The accord creates a firm link, through training and other exchanges, between Fondation Hirondelle and the daily work of a big public service broadcaster.

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General Financial SituationFunding difficulties continued in 2011, forcing Fondation Hirondelle to revise the budgets for its projects and headquarters. Global annual expenditure totaled CHF 8,332,169, down on the previous year.

The closure of the Cotton Tree News project (Sierra Leone) and uncertainty over funding for Miraya and Ndeke Luka meant that tight restrictions on spending were necessary both at headquarters and on the ground. The operational deficit was CHF 60,916. Financial losses from exchange rate fluctuations between the currencies of donor countries and the Swiss franc, the currency in which Fondation Hirondelle does its accounting, were limited to CHF 10,013, thanks to cash flow management tools introduced to limit these losses. Taking account of other financial charges and products, the year-end deficit was CHF 68, 938.

Human resourcesFondation Hirondelle’s staff structure reflects the priority it gives to the work of media in crisis zones. Of the local staff employed, 76 were journalists, presenters and technicians as of December 31, 2011, and 36 were support staff (administration, maintenance, drivers, security guards). To these should be added about 50 people hired as correspondents, replacement staff or interns.

There were 11 full-time expatriate staff at the end of 2011, providing specialized support to the national staff. A further 37 people carried out short term missions to projects during the year.

The number of staff employed at headquarters fell in 2011, owing to the departure of the fundraiser, whose post could no longer be financed. On December 31, there were 9 people filling the equivalent of 7.6 full time posts who were directly responsible for overseeing projects. There were a further 8 people filling the equivalent of 6.8 full time posts who were in management, development and support roles. Fondation Hirondelle is also training an apprentice.

Administration and Finance

Project expenditureOut of total expenditure of CHF 8,332,169, 12.22% went to headquarters operations, new project development and to cover exchange rate fluctuations. The percentage is high, owing to the write-off of a loan to Hirondelle USA and the overall reduction of costs that can be imputed to projects. The remaining CHF 7,313,975 went to projects, with 61.1% spent on staff costs, 29.3% on operating costs and 9.6% on equipment.

Projet Country Expenditure

Radio Okapi - MSDP DRC 3,516,341Hirondelle News Agency Tanzania 310,210Radio Ndeke Luka CAR 774,648Radio Miraya Sudan and South Sudan 2,129,218Cotton Tree News Sierra Leone 94,605Palestine project Palestinian territories 29,354Support to Radio Tunisienne Tunisia 459,599

Global annual expenditure over 10 years (in CHF)

10,000,000

8,000,000

6,000,000

4,000,000

2,000,000

0

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

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Financial Resources Fondation Hirondelle’s total revenue was CHF 8,258,815 in 2011, coming from the following donors:

Institutional donorsGermany Belgium European Union United States - Internews and IFES France FEI (UK and Sweden via France Expertise Internationale) IrelandNetherlandsSweden Switzerland UN agencies

Other donors CordaidNational Endowment for Democracy (NED) Miscellaneous donations

Other revenueSales and advertisingDissolution of the Hirondelle USA Fund

Type of revenue

766,2191,221,786

133,1121,148,454

34,566741,777 107,860476,370

1,406,1951,387,739

110,394

9,3 % 14,8 %

1,6 % 13,9 %

0,4 %9,0%1,3 %5,8 %

17,0 %16,8 %

1,3 %

Revenue in CHF Revenue as % of total

256,84040,145

116,814

256,02554,519

3,1 %0,5 %1,4 %

3,1%0,7%

Summary of Fondation Hirondelle accountsThe accounts were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, which presented its audit report on May 11, 2012. This work involved a detailed audit of the accounts and allocation of precise sums to the different projects, as well as an audit of the internal control system. The overall presentation of the accounts was adapted to meet the requirements of the Swiss norms GAAP RPC 21.

According to the audit report, “the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 present a true picture of the financial situation and results according to the Swiss Norm GAAP RPC 21. They comply with Swiss law and the foundation’s deed and internal regulations”. We summarize here the balance sheet and operating accounts for the year 2011. The full auditors’ report can be obtained from Fondation Hirondelle upon request.

Main sources of revenue in 2011

Germany9.3%

Ireland1.3%

Belgium14.8%

Sales and advertising3.1%

UN Agencies1.3%

FEI9.0%

Sweden17.0%

Netherlands5.8%

US / IFES-Internews13.9%

European Union1.6%

Other3.0%Cordaid

3.1%

Switzerland 16.8% i

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Balance sheet as at December 31st (in Swiss francs) 2011 2010 AssetsCurrent assetsLiquid assets 2,666,908 1,467,977Third party debtors 64,271 30,424Prepaid expenses 55,890 107,415

Fixed assetsFinancial assets 20,500 74,948Intangible assets (equipment) 5,152 7,735

Total assets 2,812,721 1,688,499

LiabilitiesShort term liabilitiesAccrual and deferred income 366,164 324,752Provision for audit fees 54,862 51,477

Long term liabilitiesMiscellaneous provisions 320 320

Allocated fundsFunds allocated by donors 1,694,126 493,773 Other allocated funds 423,359 470,062

Equity capital Foundation capital 50,000 50,000Non allocated funds 2,269 7,556Operating capital 221,621 290,559

Total liabilities 2,812,721 1,688,499

Operating account

IncomeIncome from allocated funds 7,836,457 8,661,393Income from donations (non allocated funds) 111,814 177,199Other income 310,544 214,835

Total income 8,258,815 9,053,427

Project ExpenditureSubtotal staff 4,469,896 5,530,468Subtotal operations 2,140,846 2,252,021Subtotal depreciation 703,233 392,086

Total project expenditure 7,313,975 8,174,575

Headquarters ExpenditureSubtotal staff 683,023 567,887Subtotal operations 316,676 297,731Subtotal depreciation 6,057 7,926

Total headquarters expenditure 1’005,756 873,544

Operating result -60,916 5,308Financial result (income and expense) - 8,022 - 58,097

Final result - 68,938 - 52,789

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Members of the Board in 2011

Serge Chappatte Chairman of the Board, former deputy director at the Swiss agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Philippe Dahinden Lawyer and broadcast journalist (radio and TV).

Jean-Pierre Gontard Former deputy director of the Institut Universitaire d’Etudes du Développement, Geneva.

Paul Grossrieder Former director general of the ICRC.

Romaine Jean Journalist, deputy editor at Télévision Suisse Romande (Swiss francophone TV).

Patrick Pépin Former deputy director at Radio France, former director of Lille journalism school.

Olivier Vodoz Lawyer and former president of Geneva’s regional State Council.

Jean-Marie Etter Chief Executive Officer

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Photos on the cover were taken by Gwenn Dubourthoumieu, winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 8th “Days Japan” International Photo-journalism Festival in Tokyo in 2012. He photographed the work of Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of Congo in November and December 2011 for Fondation Hirondelle.

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