#daispora

Kenya Embassy DC: Engagement with Daispora Organizations The Kenya Embassy in Washington DC is extending a warm welcome to all diaspora organizations to register and update their records. In an effort to enhance communication and collaboration, the embassy is calling on all diaspora organizations to register or update their records with the Embassy. This initiative aims to establish a…

“La Pantera Rosa” (El Dia que se fue mi mama de El Salvador), 2015

Acrylic on wood panel

24″x48″

1. What do you propose to do? [20 words]

SFS hereby proposes to establish Radio Puntland, with the aim of promoting government accountability as well as strengthening civil society, particularly through supporting women and youth and carrying out health education. The proposed radio station, through its independent public affairs programming, will serve as a crucial source of information for Puntland citizens, and will work to promote active, responsible citizenship through facilitating Puntlanders’ involvement in advocacy and public policy.

2. Is anyone doing something like this now and how is your project different? [30 words]

Drawing from this idea, the proposed community radio station will serve as an advocacy platform for promoting information sharing on various pressing topics for Somali communities, including social justice, youth empowerment, human rights, good governance, and the marginalization of women and girls.Nobody is doing public affairs programming radio.

3. Describe the real world challenge that you are trying to solve for African media [50 words]

In the past, SFS has worked to make government more responsive to the needs of citizens by helping to form neighborhood committees in some of Puntland’s major cities, including Garowe. These committees are voluntary, decentralized local bodies that aim to bring the needs and concerns of their communities to the attention of local and regional governments. Through helping form these committees; Somali Family Services has placed itself at the forefront of efforts to promote effective, balanced governance and citizen participation in public policy. However, these neighborhood committees—serving as advocates on issues of governance and public affairs—could be much more effective if they were provided an information sharing platform; namely, a community broadcast radio station that helped to empower Puntland’s citizens by educating them in public discourse and civil engagement.

4. How and why will your solution work? [100 words]

Establish an independent community radio station that reaches the wider public as a way to:

Improve Puntland citizens’ understanding of democracy, human rights and their system of governance—particularly with regard to government duties and the rights of citizens—as well as of knowledge about health issues

 Enhance Puntlanders’ understanding of and ability to advocate on issues important to their local communities; and

Encourage broader participation of marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, in public discourse and policymaking

Increase the influence and civic engagement of marginalized groups, thus strengthening civil society

Enhance ties between Somali citizens and the Somali Diaspora

Create a media development forum that will serve as a platform for discussions on obstacles faced by journalists in Puntland and how to responsibly overcome such challenges

Work with women and youth in Puntland on a comprehensive strategy for advancing their representation and participation in media

5. Who is working on it? [100 words]

Founded in 2003, Somali Family Services (SFS) is a non-profit organization with operations offices in four cities across Puntland State of Somalia (Garowe, Bosaso, Galkacyo and Ely) and a regional coordinating office in Nairobi. The mission of SFS is to foster peace and strong democratic institutions through its support for civil society, youth, women and other marginalized groups. Envisioning a peaceful, democratic Somalia in which all citizens have the opportunity to thrive and a meaningful voice in their government, SFS facilitates and opens up space for dialogue among Somalis of all backgrounds, building bridges and trust between different communities and stakeholders.

6. What part of the project have you already built? [100 words]

We haven't built yet.

7. How would you sustain the project after the funding expires? [50 words]

Radio Puntland will be independent and enjoy close collaboration with the Puntland Library & Resource Center, which was founded and is run by SFS. Furthermore, it will have a director who reports to the Somali Family Services Executive Director, Abdurashid Ali. SFS will also broaden the impact of Radio Puntland by creating links between the radio station and Diaspora communities throughout the world.

Requested amount from ANIC: $40,00 Expected amount of time required to complete project: 100000 Total Project Cost: 140000