Most community radios in Mozambique, both public and private ones, have limited income and face financial problems on more or less a permanent basis. The path to financial sustainability is a difficult one. Working with more than 40 radio stations on sustainability, h2n is applying the Five Pillar sustainability framework that it developed to meet the operational and strategic needs of radio stations. “It is important to recognize that sustainability is more than financial sustainability and also includes the systematic development of personnel, processes, programs and partnerships,” says Sergio Chusane, h2n executive director.
At RC Ilé in Zambezia, the h2n team has worked with the station to increase its revenue generation over a period of time. Through improved marketing plans, the station succeeded in signing two broadcasting agreements with two organizations that will cover the full cost of operations for six months. “If we have regular income, it helps us pay salaries of staff and volunteers, so that we can continue to improve our work,” says Eurico Guedes, the radio station coordinator. “There is more than one benefit here,” explains Chusane. “Not only does the income strengthen the station, but the paid broadcasts provide important information on land rights and how to control fires, which informs and strengthens the community as well.”
The activity falls within the scope of the Sustainability and Marketing component of the CRP2 project, which is funded by the Norwegian Embassy in Mozambique. h2n, which is primarily supported by Norway, works extensively with community radios, produces community videos, broadcasts the “Saude e Vida” television program on health and wellness, facilitates youth engagement hubs and pursues a rapidly expanding gender equality agenda.