The Guatemala Municipal Radio Program is a multi-course initiative that seeks to help implement Guatemala's decentralization strategy. WBI partnered with the Secretary of Planning and Programming of the Presidency of Guatemala (SEGEPLAN) in developing training materials and modules to build capacity at the local level. It has proved to be a path-breaking and innovative project, bringing capacity building on local government and community involvement to participants in small towns and remote areas of the country, through the use of community radio stations.
The radio program consists of three modules: (i) Local Community Development Councils (COCODEs), (ii) Participatory Planning, and (iii) Participatory Budgeting, and targets local government officials, community leaders and organizers, officials from the Municipal Planning Offices, and other concerned citizens who want to take part in their local governing bodies. The initiative has produced 60 hours of didactic radio and distributed more than 18,000 practical text books. It has reached more than 6,000 participants (about 40% women). Students who have participated in all 3 modules were awarded a diploma in citizen participation. The triple methodology - combination of book, radio, and face to face tutoring - has proved to be an effective way to develop capacities at the local level through distance education. Complete access to the 60 hours of content of the program--including digital audio in Spanish and Mayan languages can be found at http://go.worldbank.org/QLNHVR6IJ0.
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