Issue
Plans to redevelop the City of Port Harcourt do not include the voices of the large population of the city's informal waterfront settlements.
How we are helping
Supporting partners to increase the visibility of marginalised waterfront communities through music and community radio.
About the project
It is estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of the city of Port Harcourt’s population lives in self-built waterfront settlements. The government in Nigeria have plans to redevelop the city which would benefit from the inputs of local communities. The project is working with young people to share their experiences living in these waterfront slums.
Human City Media Advocacy Initiative is establishing a group of engaged musicians and producers from marginalised communities with the technical skills, artistic capacity and cultural connections to initiate independent radio productions. The project is working with renowned Nigerian and international musicians, producers, artists and scholars to train and mentor young people. The project will also engage state and city government officials in debates on issues affecting communities, through community radio programmes and discussions.
Stakeholder Democracy Network and Human City Media Advocacy Initiative in Nigeria are empowering residents of waterfront slums to use music and other art forms to advocate for a more inclusive cityscape. Using music and radio production as a medium for social expression and constructive political engagement, the project is increasing the visibility of waterfront communities and their issues at local and national level.
Photo credit: Flickr CC Igor Putina Soundboard
Project Partners
Stakeholder Democracy Network supports empowerment of citizens to work together and with their government to address development challenges.
With core focus on democratisation, resilient communities, access to energy, environment and resource governance SDN has partnered with Human City Media Advocacy Initiative to work with marginalised waterfront communities in Port Harcourt over the past five years.
We support people's participation in democracy and development by providing grants, platforms, and expertise.
