Enhancing the Interaction and Interface Between Civil Society and the State to Improve People's Lives

With a grant from the Department of International Development's (DFID) program, SFCG is supporting the media component of a program called "Enhancing the Interaction and Interface Between Civil Society and the State to Improve People's Lives" (ENCISS). The goal of ENCISS is to establish a governance framework that delivers sustainable peace, security, and democracy to enable environmental and social development. The purpose of the program is to increase capacity of representative civil society to participate in, influence, contribute to and monitor the Poverty Reduction Strategy and local government policy, planning and implementation.

With ENCISS as the guiding framework and goal, SFCG has created programs that target civil society and promote interaction and interface between civil society and the State. Themes such as inclusion, participation, dialogue and consultation are key in the program design and focus on accountability, youth, gender mainstreaming, decentralization and the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Using public information, SFCG will support information linkages between ward, chiefdom, district and national level activities and linking them into the national dialogue and policy framework. The lack of information and communication between government and citizens has been a catalyst to conflicts in the past. In order to remedy such problems, SFCG uses media and community outreach tools.

The major mechanism to reach such groups is through use of radio programming, however video is also used to support success stories and activities. One major component of the SFCG's efforts will be implemented through their Talking Drum Studio (TDS) programs, which facilitate interaction and discussion between parties across the country. SFCG also develops region-specific programming using its satellite studios in Bo and Makeni. These programs focus on district specific issues, concerns, and challenges. To complement its radio activities, SFCG also will use print and develop the capacity of local theater groups to enhance their messaging styles and content.

In order to build conflict management capacities, SFCG will work with civil society groups and local leaders using the District Rights and Resource Centers to share narratives based on civil-society related issues and seek common solutions to community problems by fostering dialogue. This will help engage various actors in discussion as well as allow them to explore their respective roles and responsibilities in civil society. Periodically SFCG works with local groups, particularly drawing upon youth associations, to organize community solidarity events that celebrate common culture and traditions, promote social reintegration and foster discussion on relevant topics in divided districts.

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