Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN) and CTA are excited to launch a scriptwriting competition entitled African Farmers’ Strategies for Coping with Climate Change!

The competition is open to African radio organizations, including broadcasters, production organizations, NGOs with a radio project, farmers’ associations with a radio show, etc.

Competitors are invited to submit a radio script on one of the following themes related to local adaptation to climate change:

• · Water and soil management
• · Cropping strategies emphasizing drought-resistant plants
• · Livestock management practices
• · Fisheries and Agroforestry
• · Other (for original topics related to coping with climate change and not listed above)

To assist radio practitioners with producing the radio scripts, a climate change resource kit and a guide to writing radio scripts will be prepared and distributed to interested African radio practitioners. Professional coaching and mentoring on scriptwriting will be provided to participants throughout the process via this website.

Any of the following script formats can be used:

• · interviews
• · spots
• · discussion between two hosts
• · drama (with different characters)
• · a story (told by one or two narrators)

Participants are encouraged to include an audio file with their script; however, this is not a requirement.

The script is to be prepared with input from local people (especially farmers). It must be between 500-2000 words, include background notes about the topic and production notes for broadcasters, and include references to information sources used to prepare the script (e.g., farmers, agricultural institutions, NGOs, documents, etc.). Entries must be received no later than March 15, 2008.

The scripts will be reviewed by an international panel of judges. The top 15 entries will receive high quality digital audio recorders. The winners will be announced in May 2008 and will be profiled on the competition website. The winning scripts will be published and distributed by CTA and DCFRN. All entrants will receive feedback on their scripts.

If you would like to receive more information and to participate, please sign up!