1. Bringing Local News to Local People Khoun Radio Support Project Local Project Appraisal Committee 15 February 2006

2. Content of Presentation 1. Background and Situation Analysis 2. Objectives 3. Project Management Arrangements 4. Opportunities, Challenges and Risks 5. Project Budget

3. 1. Situation Analysis: Media Landscape Overall, increasing diversity of information, thanks to the spread of internet and satellite TV … … but large parts of the population lack access to local information that is vital to take decisions about their lives, e.g. concerning markets, public services, job opportunities, development issues Availability of Information at sub-provincial level - mostly one-way flow of information - authorities communicate with villages through Nai Baan - or reliance on mouth-to-mouth communication

4. Situation Analysis: Media Landscape cont. Radio culture in rural areas - particularly farmers in remote villages - programmes in ethnic languages popular (e.g. LNR: 2 daily Programmes) Donor-supported initiatives (ongoing or planned) - Support to Lao National Radio (Sida) - Radio access for remote districts (UNESCO/MIC, Saravane) - Awareness-raising about development issues through media (e.g. UNICEF) - Internet-radio (EqualAccess) - Lao Journalist Association / Lao National University (EU)

5. Among the 47 poorest districts in Lao PDR 90 villages with 31 000 people 54% Hmong, 41% Lao Lum, 5% Khamu Access to radio from LNR, some neighbouring provinces – but in many cases not Xiengkhouang provincial radio Commitment from political leadership and interest from community Situation Analysis: Khoun District, Xiengkhouang

6. 2. Objectives of the Project “Voice of Phiavat” Radio Initiative sets out to 1.Improve access to information through local reporting and radio programme making in local languages 2.Increase the voice of Lao citizens – in particular of ethnic people and women – in programme making to help them participate in development decisions that affect their lives

7. Project Outputs 1.A local radio station in Khoun established 2. Enhanced news making skills of Public Information Officers at provincial and district level 3. Community volunteers and radio board members engaged and trained in programme making and media management 4. A baseline survey of information needs conducted in Khoun District and a technical cooperation initiated with other radio initiatives 5. Project Support

10. Management Arrangements Leading Committee NPD/NPM Communities in Khoun District Radio Board Radio Station Secretariat GPAR Xiengkhouang Project Support Unit Media Advisor, Associate, Translator Administrator Volunteers Translators Line Agencies LEAP SADU UNICEF UXO Lao Other Initiatives Business Voice of Phiavat Radio Initiative

11. Opportunities, Challenges and Risks Platform for involvement of communities in development dialogue at local level Better access to information, in particular for people not fluent in Lao Pilot project for further interventions of MIC Collaboration with UNESCO Politically sensitive, but strong leadership and support from MIC and province 1-year project: delivery pressure and sustainability issues Close association to GPAR Xiengkhouang Project – (and other initiatives in the province) Piloting of low-cost technical equipment Partnership with Lao Telecom

12. Project Budget OutputCost US$% 1. Radio Station established24,00020 2 Skills of Public Information Officers developed 18,90016 3. Training of community volunteers and radio board members 26,10022 4. Project Support 32,70027 Total120,000100

13. Thank you for your attention Questions and comments?