The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Published 24 years ago
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Radio Douentza

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Radio Douentza is a Community Radio Station which serves the community of the Douentza area in Northern Mali, a semi-arid region of subsistence agriculture - most of the population are farmers or herders. The radio station broadcasts many types of announcements, from entertainment to local music and cultural programmes to development issues, education and community news.
Communication Strategies

An FM Radio station, transmitting to a radius of about 150km. Solar powered transmitter, 45% music programmes and 55% talk, broadcasting about 10 hours per day, 7 days per week. Programmes are broadcast in local language and dialects.

Development Issues

Local development, literacy/numeracy, community empowerment, gender issues, agriculture, health, education, local conflict resolution, anti-desertification, economic development, democritisation/legal rights, youth issues, preservation of traditional wisdom and culture.

Key Points

Radio Douentza was one of the first independent community radios in Mali, operating on a very small budget, but creating impressive achievements and impact on the local communities. The radio station operates against the odds in one of the poorest regions of Mali - itself one of the poorest countries in the world.

Partners

Malian Ministry of Health, USAID, OXFAM UK (funding), Near East Foundation USA (funding, logistic and policy support), PANOS Institute Paris, Save the Children Fund - Mali (health broadcasts), CECI (Canadian NGO), UNICEF Mali, USAID Bamako, various local sponsors, SOMARC (social marketing), BASICS, PLAN international, an independent journalists' union called URTEL and World Vision.