Dominated by private operators and international channels, El Salvador's media dedicates most of its air time and press coverage to income-generating programmes and topics, with a severe neglect for issues which are of relevance to local and marginalized communities such as human rights, environmental matters and gender equality. The strengthening of Salvadoran community media is therefore vital in order to promote freedom of expression, democracy and social inclusion. The Izcanal Foundation attempts to respond to these needs by providing community radio and television broadcasts to three departments in the east of the country. Although it has acquired important recognition at both local and national level during its seventeen years of presence, lack of funding has meant that equipment is insufficient and dated, and staff members lack specific knowledge and training. This project will provide capacity-building training to 14 Izcanal journalists on freedom of expression and the promotion of community participation in development through the media, as well as training on how to operate technical equipment. A group of 20 local correspondents will receive separate training on the basics of journalism and development issues. Successful implementation of the project will result in: (i) a better-trained staff of the Izcanal television and radio stations, capable of producing news and educational programmes in a contemporary format; (ii) the production of 3 new programmes on community issues, run by local correspondents; and (iii) a network of local correspondents with knowledge and interest in reporting on relevant community issues. As a consequence, this strengthening of community media will promote media pluralism in El Salvador. OBJECTIVE To provide equipment and capacity-building training to 14 television and radio journalists on freedom of expression and techniques on the promotion of community participation via media, as well as providing separate training to a group of 20 local correspondents on the basics of journalism and development issues.