CR and SustainabilityA participatory research initiative

Ideosync Media CombineMay 2014

• Sustainability an increasing concern for CR stations in the region

• Performance and Review initiatives putting further pressure on CR to show sustainability

• Need to build greater understanding on correlations between performance indicators and long term sustainability

Context

The Sustainability Puzzle

India

Africa

Latin AmericaAustraliaSouth East Asia

Nepal

Thinking on sustainability has emerged from diverse global experiences

The United States

Europe

Case studies

Need to take the ‘financial stability bull’ by the horn

Parameters that impact

sustainability

Initial work on drawing correlations between

desired principles, actual everyday practice

and financial sustainability

1 2

4 3

Sustainability strategies used by

different CR stations and defining Key

Station characteristics

Discussions on community participation, capacity, management, planning, technology

CR-PASCAMECO

Mostly focused on analyzing policies from a media rights perspective – few look at direct co relations with long term sustainability for CR

Research on Sustainability

Policies and enabling

environments

Sustainability definition/s

Foundations

How do the beginnings define the future

What needs to be sustained?

Model

Does the development model for sustainability

serve the CR agenda well?

Co-relations

How are the multiple aspects of sustainability linked – are there direct

correlations?

Some resonating questions

Prioritizing

Evolve a set of indicators for

sustainability for CR

Examine the relational understanding between

good practice parameters and

financial sustainability

Support advocacy for CR’s right to public funds for planning and core operations

Key objectives of this research Evidence-based, Participatory

Evolve a definition of Sustainability through a process of participatoryengagement with CR stations from the region

HarvestPlus Bio-fortified Pearl Millet intervention in Maharashtra

How do CR stations in the region understand sustainability? What are the things they want to sustain?

What are community radio operating costs and how are these costs met?

How does station programming reflect the needs of the community? How does the station assess these needs?

Key Research Questions

How is the relationship between the station and community mutually beneficial and how are these benefits perceived and articulated?

What accountability and audit mechanisms are in practice?

Methodology: Purposive selection of CR

Institutions

Large NGO

Small NGO

Educational

Cooperative

Geography

Regional diversity

Age

Number of years since inception

Bio-fortified Pearl Millet intervention in Maharashtra

Tools

In depth Interviews with Key respondents Participant Observation

Mind Maps

Weekly Diaries

Significant good Practice stories

Self Administered Survey

Budgets and monthly expenses

Qualitative

Participatory Quantitative

Methods

Sample Mind Map

Sample Diary expected every week from CR stations

… what C4SC should result in!

Confidentiality of raw data

Participatory analysis of codes and significances

of stories for drawing

correlations

Draw parallels and resonances in the

region

4. Work towards creating a community

owned movement

The Analysis Approach

Establish processes whereby the findings may be reflected on by the CR community

Get……people…

…talking about it!

Dissemination of Research findings