NEWS:
Community radio launched by the CDN association for resilience
August 20, 2025
In Burundi, in a context marked by the high vulnerability of production systems to climate extremes, climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, disrupting food systems, natural resources, livelihoods, and economies, particularly in rural areas.
Farmers are on the front lines of these changes and need relevant, real-time information to adapt.
To meet this challenge, the community radio station launched by the CDN association strives to raise awareness among communities in Cibitoke province (and the new, expanded Bujumbura province) about the proper management of natural resources.
A true local communication and information tool, this community radio station now goes beyond simple information and increasingly plays the role of a key development actor.
It also possesses an institutional memory that makes it a guardian of local knowledge.
By closely monitoring weather forecasts, this radio station provides access to climate information (including early warnings of extreme events such as strong winds, torrential rains, and temperature spikes) that it broadcasts over its airwaves, thereby helping to strengthen the resilience of communities in Cibitoke province.
At the local community level, this radio station is a communication and information channel that can prove fundamentally effective.
It guarantees farmers in Cibitoke rapid access to reliable weather information that can help them adapt their agricultural practices to absorb climate shocks. The use of this tool is explained by the importance of access to information in strengthening communities' adaptive capacity. The more information communities have access to, the more opportunities they increase, and the more they strengthen their ability to cope with climate risks.
In Cibitoke province, where this radio station operates, communities face significant climate risks and have very limited access to information and adaptation solutions. In such a situation, the community radio station in question ensures the relaying of information and the dissemination of best practices on a large scale.
Relying on local staff familiar with local realities, this radio station operates on the principle of participation.
Many stakeholders, such as village and family leaders, are involved not only in its operation but also in hosting programs accessible to producers.
Thanks to the support of the CDN association, this community radio station has the financial resources needed to broadcast early warnings on seasonal variability and expand climate information networks to farmers.
In addition, this station broadcasts many testimonials from farmers who are doing well thanks to its information.
The people of Cibitoke will also be able to refer to concrete cases of adaptation underway in the villages and communities around them.
Furthermore, as climate change accelerates, the need for reliable information also increases.
Extreme weather events—droughts, floods, and strong winds—threaten food production and livelihoods.
Without access to credible information and early warning systems, rural communities are exposed to increased risks. Community radio, managed by the CDN association, plays a vital role in climate communication in Cibitoke province.
The empowerment of women and youth in broadcasting is also essential. This community radio station provides a crucial space for women to access information and express themselves.
In conclusion, it is clear that the role of radio in climate action is more important than ever. In response, the CDN association continues to promote inclusive rural communication services, ensuring that radio remains a trusted tool in the fight against climate change. For the remote villages of Cibitoke province, radio is not just a means of communication; it is a lifeline and a catalyst for change.
