Project Factsheet Template

Project Fact Sheet 06/2012:

Enhance and Support Community participation and Media Development Community Participation and Communication Support Programme (CPCSP) Project ID: 00077488

Lao PDR

Description Duration Ongoing: February 2011 – December 2014 A large part of the Lao population, particularly in remote areas, has (4 years) poor access to information, communication systems and public services. Access to information that is relevant to the community is Location vital to help people take informed decisions about their lives. Local Xieng Khouang Province, Sekong Province information about markets, services, job opportunities and Oudomxay Province development issues, such as reproductive health, is very often lacking. Partners Implementing Partner: Ministry of Enhanced community participation could help overcome these Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) problems. The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness [2005] and the Accra Agenda for Action [2009] underline the role of civil society in Responsible Parties: Departments of sustainable poverty reduction and aid effectiveness in the strongest Information, Culture and Tourism in Xieng terms. Therefore the programme – implemented along the lines of Khouang, Sekong and Oudomxay the Vientiane Declaration on Aid Effectiveness to ensure better coordination and harmonisation of civil society initiatives – will Other Partners: UNDP, Oxfam Novib strengthen the wider civil society in Lao PDR through supporting community organizations. Moreover, it also aims to help scaling up Budget community media, promoting the understanding of gender equality Total budget: USD 1,600,000 and enhancing a positive and non discriminatory portrayal of 2012 budget: USD 290,000 (government: women. in kind; Oxfam Novib: USD 200,000; UNDP: 90,000) The programme will contribute to this goal by supporting six community radios across Lao PDR to become independent Contributing donor(s) sustainable entities and it will create mechanisms that will support UNDP core: USD 400,000 other community radios in the future. Oxfam Novib: USD 400,000

As a result, communities will enjoy better access to information and Delivery bottom-up communication channels, allowing Lao population to Feb 2011 – Jul 2012: USD 257,737.24 take informed decisions, express their views, share knowledge and Funding Shortfall validate their cultures and traditions. Furthermore, the programme USD 800,000 will support the sustainability of community organisations especially community media organisations.

The Khoun Community Radio for Development Project (2006-2010) has shown that community radios can be very beneficial for the population: according to project reports, 80 percent of the district’s population see the new radio as the primary source of information. Since its initiation vaccination rates have risen by more than 50 percent, and the number of women using health facilities during their pregnancy has increased by nearly 70%.

Agreement signed with Government http://www.undplao.org/whatwedo/programmesdemgov.php#CPCSP Main Objectives and Activities in 2012 Output 1: Community media will be scaled up to poor and underserved districts. (By the end of the year building blocks will be formalized for two new community radios in Dakchueng and Nonghet, equipment and station will be functioning, broadcasting permit will be acquired, sustainable partnership strategy, board and management will be in place, community assets mapping report and listeners’ baseline survey from Nonghet and Dakcheung will be produced, volunteers will be trained.)

Output 2: Local organizations and companies have the knowledge and competence to scale up and sustain community media. (Four practical manuals will be published, capacity assessment and plan for CR support centre Facilitation of registration/organizational development, trainings and study tours for staff in other country)

Output 3: Lessons learned will be used to inform policy-makers and contribute to an enabling environment for media, and access to information and indigenous rights.

Output 4: Efficient and effective programme monitoring and coordination systems and resources are in place. (Organise monthly and quarterly meetings, as well as programme board meetings and annual review meeting in December, spot check and audit recommendation should be fully implemented.)

Key Results, Reports and Publications to date 3 out of the 6 planned radios are already broadcasting.

Received first prize in the category “Excellence on Knowledge Sharing” at the RBAP Director 2011 Awards in Delhi.

Presentation on government supported community media on the event “Consultation on Indigenous Language Radio and Community Media” in Cambodia, 13 December 2011.

Presentation on Communication for the empowerment of ethnic people in Lao PDR, on the C4E Consultation in Bangkok, 11-13 May 2011.

Article about Lao PDR community radio, and its implications for Cambodia, on Cambodian country office homepage: http://www.un.org.kh/undp/pressroom/stories/undp-brings-indigenous-people-radio-experiences- from-laos-to-cambodia?app_id=13

Videos: “Training by Bounchanh Korakod;” “Khoun Community Radio for Development celebrates 3 years of broadcasting the people’s voices;” and “Information for all” can be viewed on our Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/undplao

Thematic Area Corporate Thematic Area: Democratic Governance UNDAF Outcome 2: By 2015, the poor and vulnerable benefit from the improved delivery of public services and effective protection of their rights and greater participation in transparent decision making.

Millennium Development Goal Goal 1-9: through improved governance and multidirectional information flow about policy and development issues between and within local communities and government Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women (and ethnic people)

Contact UNDP Programme Officer: Mr. Vilaykham Lasasimma, [email protected] ph: +856 (0) 21 267783 UNDP Head of Governance Unit / Assistant Resident Representative: Ms. Sudha Gooty, [email protected] ph: 856 (21) 267 777, direct: 267 720, 856 (20) 55555336