The establishment of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) in 2003 was premised on the vision of seeing developed and participativecommunities in Zimbabwe which freely express themselves. Since 2003 till date, the emergence of community radio initiatives which strive to promote local development and empowerment has been on the rise. These community radio initiatives, though unique in their own individual ways, have the broader collective goal of a desire to use radio as a platform forcommunity debate, dialogue and discussion to effect social change, and to move towards community development by also bringing an exciting and increasing wealth of information that is locally understood.
Over the years, the existing community radio initiatives have played a critical role of enhancing access to information in localized communities. Nevertheless, there have been a number of sustainability challenges that have been encountered by the stations in their quest to promote local development. In light of the economic challenges that have bedeviled Zimbabwe coupled with the global economic recession, the existing community radios have sought to explore various financial sustainability strategies so as to keep the stations viable and functional.
Guided by the need to ensure financial sustainability of the community radio stations, ZACRAS working with Birgitte Jallov and with the support of the Embassy of Sweden through the Fojo Media Institute, conducted a 5 day financial sustainability training workshop for ZACRAS members. This financial sustainability manual is therefore a culmination of the outcome of the workshop.
This financial sustainability manual seeks to offer pointers to current and future community radio practioners on how they can remain financially sustainable as a community radio station and serve their target communities.This document is therefore written for concerned players who are interested in making sure community radio remains a critical tool for development and empowerment.
ZACRAS acknowledges the support of all its current stakeholders, and looks forward to exciting moments as member stations work in executing the outlined strategies.
Community Radio-A strategic tool for community development!
John Tafadzwa Chirinda,
ZACRAS Board Chairperson
Kalmar, Sweden: Fojo: Media Institute;Zimbabwe Association of Community Radios (ZACRAS) , 2015. , p. 54
The views and interpretations in this report are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radios (ZACRAS), Sida or Fojo Media Institute.