Studio Sifaka - Madagascar - Fondation Hirondelle - Media for Peace and Human Dignity

Studio Sifaka is a radio programme for Youth created by the United Nations in Madagascar, in partnership with Fondation Hirondelle, with the support of the Peacebuilding Fund. This project is funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund as part of the Youth and Gender Equality Initiative (GYPI) and implemented in partnership with UNDP, UNICEF and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The establishment of Studio Sifaka aims to improve young women's and men's access to reliable and quality information and knowledge through the inclusion of their voices. It thus contributes to peacebuilding in Madagascar.

Studio Sifaka is initially producing 2 hours of radio programmes per day, and the programme is broadcast by a network of partner radio stations, which covers the whole country. A licence application for an FM frequency is also being submitted to the Malagasy authorities. Programming include a national and regional news bulletin, as well as programmes dedicated to counselling (health, employment, etc.), dialogue, music and Malagasy culture. These programmes are produced by a group of young journalists, all under 30 years of age, Malagasy editors, presenters and technicians.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.hirondelle.org/en/madagascar#sigProIde88aebb42d

Youth associations and rural communities also contribute to the radio programmes and provide feedback from young people on the content. The information disseminated will thus be a source of inspiration for community peace initiatives. The Malagasy NGO Youth First, a partner in the project, is responsible for training youth associations throughout the country to create Studio Sifaka listening groups and organize focus groups to identify young people’s main concerns.

Objectives

Young Malagasy men and women have better access to reliable and professional information and a space to be heard, enabling them to participate more effectively in peaceful conflict resolution and democratic and development processes.
The Malagasy media sector broadcasts content that contributes to peaceful coexistence, in particular by giving a greater place to young people

Results

2 hours per day of radio production
Broadcasting of programmes via a network of partner radio stations covering the whole country
A team of young journalists (under 30) trained to produce programmes that meet the information needs of young people and the professional and ethical rules of journalism
Youth associations are trained to organize focus groups on the interests and needs of Malagasy youth
Studio Sifaka listeners groups are organized throughout the country

Resources

Team: 1 project manager; 1 radio director; 1 editorial advisor; 1 editor-in-chief; 1 deputy editor; 1 editorial secretary; 15 journalists and presenters; 1 web and social network manager; 1 partnership coordinator; 1 support services coordinator; 1 administrative and financial assistant; 1 technical manager; 2 technicians; 1 logistics assistant.

18-month budget: 800,000 USD

Source of funding: