Grassroots Communications for REDD+ in NepalBarefoot Reporters and SMS Talk Shows

Asia-Pacific Forestry WeekNovember 7-11, 2011Beijing, China

By Prabha Chandran, ManagerStrategic Communications

What is grassroots communications?

• People to people communications : ‘The Original Social Media in 3D’• Age of Participation – capturing the

eagerness to participate• A key strategy to link local communities

with policy makers on REDD+ under the Grassroots Programs in Indonesia, Lao PDR, Nepal and Vietnam

Local communities

REDD+Partners

Policy makers

Street plays

Media training

Radio shows

Story telling

Group learning

Barefoot reporters

Favorable REDD+ policies for the communities, verified by

SMS polls

Feedback from communities shared with policy makers

Our Mission: Local People Manage Forests for Optimal Benefits

From one to 100 barefoot reporters

• An influential media champion • Trained 16 journalists in 16 target

districts for a national dialogue• 5 one-day workshops for 100

community reporters

Bottom up reporting and thought leadership for communities

Community awareness raising

Network of learning events

• 270 resource persons trained in REDD at the national and sub-national levels

• 320 story telling and group learning events

• Over 10,000 grassroots stakeholders reached

• Some communities begin adapting to decrease carbon impacts

Radio and SMS talk shows

• 12 Episodes now airing on Climate Change, Forests and REDD+ include expert interviews, vox-pops, songs, reports, docu-dramas.

• SMS polls and chat shows. Mobile phone usage in Nepal doubled in 8 years. Powerful participation channel

• Polls show impact of REDD awareness raising

Addressing communications challenges

• Explaining the REDD+ framework, concepts and terminology in local languages

• Contextualizing the global debate in local settings

• Leveling of expectations by communicating accurate and culturally sensitive information

• Combining communications streams for greater impact

Thank You