This collection of case studies on the CMCs in Nepal is intended to showcase the interesting and diverse growth of this new medium in spite of conflict and the lack of community radio regulation.

In 2003 UNESCO supported the creation of Nepal's first pilot Community Multi Media Centre (CMC) in Tansen, Palpa. Since then, two additional CMCs have been created in Nepal, in Madanphokhara (Palpa District) and in Lumbini (Rupandehi District). This document introduces the three CMCs and outlines the benefits and challenges that the centres have faced since they were established.

Each CMC is discussed in four parts: location and context, organisational structure, programmes and sustainability. The case studies show how local communities access and utilise newly available ICT tools in different ways.
In an effort to understand the social impact of CMCs the authors carried out field visits to the centres. They interviewed managers, staff, local researchers, community reporters, volunteers and community people. Unobtrusive observations of the centres were conducted to gain a sense of the normal daily activities of the CMCs.

By examining three centres concurrently, common themes emerged in the overall functionality of CMCs in Nepal. This study identifies some key issues which can assist CMCs towards their goal of providing ICT access to poor and marginalised communities in regional Nepal.