Civil Society and Media Leadership Program in Liberia (CSML)

Civil Society Strengthening, Gender, Media Development, Africa

The Civil Society and Media Leadership Program in Liberia provides training and resources to Liberian civil society organizations and independent media to include and engage the Liberian population in the creation of inclusive, peaceful and sustainable development.

A five-year program launched in 2010, CSML is improving the skills, performance and perceptions of Liberian civil society organizations (CSOs) through training, mentoring, and small grant projects. Simultaneously, the project is working with the Liberian media industry to build capacity and professionalize both individual journalists as well as media outlets through training and grants.

IREX and its partners The Carter Center and Social Impact work together with the Liberia-based YMCA and Liberian Media Center. CSML is funded by USAID.

Goals

• Increase organizational capacity of CSOs to serve as a vehicle for representing members’ interests and influencing the policy process

• Strengthen capacity of a core group of advocacy CSOs to monitor government policy, performance, and expenditure

• Enhance perceptions of CSOs by the government and of the government and CSOs by the citizens

• Improve independent media capacity to operate more professionally, including improved programming and greater economic self sustainability

• Effectively encourage community radio stations to engage with the community and work to include diverse audiences

• Assist in the passing and enforcement of media freedom of information laws in a manner that promotes an enabling environment for independent media

• Increase the use of SMS technology to distribute information and serve as a link between people and their political leaders

Project Activities

Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy Training: IREX selects 6-10 Liberian organizations to work with as Resource Partners (RPs). It provides each RP with a six-month, customized training program to strengthen the organizations and improve advocacy which will begin after organizational assessments are complete. RPs are also supported through grants to continue institutional strengthening and to support the institutional strengthening of smaller CSOs. Finally, RPs select 1-2 staff that are trained in how to train (TOT) and developed into Master Trainers and as lead agents in their technical areas who go on to train multiple CSOs throughout seven counties in Liberia. Small grants are offered to CSOs who have completed their training program. IREX offers institutional strengthening grants, advocacy grants and networking grants. IREX works with the Carter Center to bring National Traditional Council (NTC) staff into the institutional strengthening CSO trainings in Monrovia, also based on an assessment. Additionally, IREX and TCC engage county-level NTC representatives separately and include them in its county CSO trainings when there are synergies, particularly in the areas of leadership, responsibilities of community leaders during the electoral cycle and dispute resolution.

CSO Media Plan: The media plan broadens and deepens the impact of CSO activities. Live coverage of CSO workshops on community radio, promotion of interactive programming, use of SMS networks and new media are used as channels to reach and educate a broader audience in the target counties.

Joint CSO, Citizen, and Government Roundtables: Joint roundtables between government officials (including county-level NTC representatives) and CSOs and individual constituents enhance understanding of one another and build positive perceptions between government, CSOs and citizens.

Media Development Forum: The Media Development Forum serves as a space for the discussion of issues facing journalism in today’s Liberia and the best and most practical approaches to tackling them.

Specialized Training and Consulting for Targeted Media Outlets and Journalists: IREX and partner Liberian Media Center (LMC) provide technical assistance to target media outlets and individual journalists to improve their operations. IREX and LMC offer specialized reporting training which includes regular workshops or seminars, lasting between one to three weeks, to selected journalists on how to cover specific issues. Additionally IREX develops a 1-2 year comprehensive journalist training program.

Women’s Media Initiative: IREX works with the Liberia Women’s Media Action Committee (LIWOMAC) on a comprehensive strategy on advancing women in the media. The process begins with a mapping exercise – a needs assessment - to identify priority areas, existing programs, partners and expertise. Following the assessment and consultations, the comprehensive strategy for advancing women in the media is designed and a one year plan of action developed.

Business Development and Sustainability Training: To assist media outlets in becoming sustainable, IREX offers business development training. Additionally, outlets have access to a business development fund to produce content, thus employing their newly gained skills.

Model Radio Stations: IREX supports targeted stations to become models for others. This is done through equipment upgrades, skills training – both editorial and technical – and an innovative mentoring program.

Mobile Phone Innovation Conference: At the Mobile Phone Innovation Conference, IREX explores the development of mobile phone SMS technology in villages in the targeted counties. Voice SMS is also given consideration given the high illiteracy rate in Liberia.

Advance the Right to Access to Information: IREX and TCC strengthen the consortium that is actively engaged in advocating for the Freedom of Information Act by providing training on promotion strategies and post-passage activities.