MUMBAI: Orchha based community radio, Radio Bundelkhand 90.4, an initiative by Development Alternatives, has organised a three day training programme from 3 to 5 March 2009 for CR stations.

A tool to empower communities, it has been hosted by Radio Bundelkhand in technical cooperation with UNESCO and its partner organization, Maraa - A Media Collective.

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. The course aims to clarify the concepts related to community radio, explaining the government policies and providing a tool to develop basic production and post-production skills.

About 20 participants have registered for the paid workshop including 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.

The 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.

The initiative is a step to make Radio Bundelkhand as a permanent training centre for community radio orientation programmes in 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. Apart from the funding from Delhi based NGO Development Alternatives, UNESCO supported the station with equipment and training.