Local radio's impact on young Zambians’ participation in civic life

Publication date: September 2024

Authors: Akunna Penny and Nick Chasimpha 

The third phase of Radio Waves, a three-year initiative, aimed to increase citizen participation in political processes and governance via community and national dialogue and discussion with local leaders to hold them accountable. The project supported a total of 12 direct partners including community radio stations in rural areas, to produce regular content across radio (principally), TV and online platforms.

The programmes supported by the Radio Waves project reached one-third of the Zambian population aged 14+ across the focal provinces (approximately 1.6 million people), including approximately 1.1 million young people aged 14–34.

Those that listened regularly to the programmes were more likely to know more, had higher confidence and motivation to participate in politics and participated more in politics than non-listeners, even after controlling for other factors that may have affected the results (such as age, gender and education).

This evaluation demonstrates that our long-term capacity strengthening of local radio stations in Zambia has helped to improve local accountability for ordinary people, including youth. The governance programmes supported under the projects have provided audiences with access to relevant information on local governance issues, improved their knowledge of these issues, stimulated discussion and enabled ordinary people to interact directly with power—holders.

To learn more about the insights uncovered from this research please see the document above.