Radio Bundelkhand was initiated by Development Alternatives (DA) in early 2007 with a mission to disseminate relevant information to the rural audience. This community radio now covers approximately 5-10 km and 25 villages with a population of 15000. It seeks to promote interactive development communication and to give voice to the deprived and marginalised communities of Bundelkhand region of Central India. Radio Bundelkhand is amongst the first three community radio stations approved and licensed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, under its new Community Radio Policy. UNESCO supported the station with equipment and training.

The current training course, which is expected to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop a community radio station, will be imparted by experienced staff from Maraa. More particularly, the course aims at the following:

• to clarify the concepts related to community radio;
  
• to explain the government policies and expectations it has for the organizations setting up their own community radio station; and
  
• to provide tools to develop basic production and post-production skills.

About fifteen participants registered for the workshop include development professionals from NGOs, officers from central and state governments, representatives of academic institutions and international development organizations, as well as individuals who want to set up their own community radio stations or to support existing community radios.

Participants will be provided with training material accompanied by the following UNESCO publications:

• How to do community radio: a primer for community radio operators,
  
• Community radio in India,
  
• CR (Community radio): a user's guide to the technology; a guide to the technology and technical parameters of community radio in India, and
  
• Digital archiving of audio content using WINISIS and Greenstone software: a manual for community radio managers.