Case Study Summary

The Development Alternatives (DA) Group works in Bundelkhand, an environmentally vulnerable and socially complex region in central India. For several decades the region has experienced droughts and is vulnerable due to accelerating climate change. Agriculture and allied sectors is one of the major sectors contributing significantly to the economy and human well-being of the state. With this Case Study research the DA Group seeks to mobilise climate change solutions and education through community radio in the region..

Working with community radio programs to raise climate change awareness and climate action, this project will be delivered in five selected farming Bundelkhand districts. The project’s model involves knowledge sharing, learning, research, and community interaction. It seeks to bridge the gap between community and researchers. The emphasis is on building capacities of the radio partners on how to advocate climate change issues at the community level and beyond.

The primary object of this Case Study research is to document the case of climate change communication through community radio programmes (broadcasting and narrowcasting). The research methodology includes three phases: 1) a literature review and analysis of existing project progress and reports, including building a stakeholder questionnaire, 2) a field visit to conduct individual interviews and focus group discussions with community radio reporters of the selected radio stations and local communities, and 3) conducting one-on-one interviews with the farming community and all those involved in the climate change communication programme.

The Case Study research will explore general awareness about climate change and access to information on climate change impacts in the region. It will also examine climate adaptive farming practices and the perceived change in climate responsive behaviour. A key aspect is to better understand how inclusivity (specifically gender, caste and religious minority groups, and economic groups) intersects with climate action.