The interactive radio method developed and deployed by Africa’s Voices has been designed to build trusted real social spaces for discussion between citizens and decision-makers and citizens themselves. This is achieved through a two-pronged approach:
Audiences drive radio debate by sharing their perspectives via SMS to a free short-code. Under our Governance & Accountability programme, decision-makers respond to citizen opinions read on air. When interactive radio is deployed to serve objectives under our Citizen Evidence for Social Change programmatic area, voices representing positive attitudes are amplified and used to shape content design.
Combining responsible technology and social science, and with participants’ consent obtained through follow-up messages, we generate robust insights on public opinion, beliefs and attitudes about critical issues. These insights can be used as powerful evidence for more participatory, responsive and accountable governance and to inform programme design based on citizen needs and opinions.
Listening to citizens is at the heart of effective development and governance.
Using citizen engagement, digital media and innovative data analytics, we listen to citizens at scale and amplify their views, beliefs and priorities.
Facilitated by a platform for 1-1 SMS conversations, Africa’s Voices has developed a robust system for gathering feedback from, often dispersed and vulnerable, populations to drive more accountable and effective service-delivery. The platform allows for a responsive, two-way channel for receiving, responding to, and resolving feedback and complaints in a manner that feels respectful and inclusive. The analysis of these two-way exchanges results in evidence that supports responsive and adaptive programming.