Radio

The world's largest peacebuilding organization using media and communications to prevent violent extremism. Since 1982, SFCG has used TV dramas, radio soap operas, and digital campaigns to transform conflict across 30+ countries. Signature programs include Studio Ijambo (Burundi, credited with helping avert genocide through Hutu-Tutsi dialogue) and The Team (soccer drama series promoting peace). Their 'Common Ground Approach' builds bridges across divides through collaborative storytelling and community-led counternarratives to extremism.

DCA's "Enabling a Safe Future through EORE in South Sudan" (2025) targets Magwi County, where decades of conflict left extensive land contamination. The $159,486 project expects to reach 23,000+ children and adults with tailored EORE sessions in schools and communities. Key innovations include training 400 Community Focal Points and 600 Peer-Risk Educators to ensure sustainability; 10 drama clubs and 10 EORE wall murals for culturally relevant messaging; radio broadcasts reaching remote areas; and "Sport for Peace" events fostering social cohesion. The project strengthens victim referral pathways and measures behavioral change through baseline/endline surveys.

A UNESCO campaign launched in April 2020 that crowdsourced culturally relevant, openly licensed creative content from African artists—songs, dances, and visual art—to combat COVID-19 misinformation in local languages. Over 400 artists from 36 African countries participated, including Ugandan star Bobi Wine whose 'Corona Virus Alert' song went viral.

India's flagship nutrition awareness campaign conducted annually in September. Uses mass media, community mobilization, and interpersonal communication to promote breastfeeding, complementary feeding, anemia prevention, and hygiene behaviors among mothers, children, and adolescent girls.

The largest public health initiative in history, GPEI uses comprehensive communication strategies including community mobilization, interpersonal communication through health workers, and mass media to achieve polio vaccination coverage. The initiative has reduced polio cases by 99.9% since 1988 through sustained behavior change communication.

A multi-country initiative to improve infant and young child feeding practices through strategic behavior change communication. Uses mass media, community-based counseling, and policy advocacy to promote exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding in Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and other countries.

Population Services International's comprehensive malaria program uses social marketing and behavior change communication to increase use of insecticide-treated nets, improve care-seeking behavior, and promote preventive treatment. Active across sub-Saharan Africa with proven impact on malaria mortality reduction.

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) implements community dialogue and media-based peacebuilding programs across 35+ countries. Their approach uses participatory media production, community radio, and facilitated dialogue to transform conflict, build trust between divided groups, and promote social cohesion in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reduce conflict and build peace in fragile states. Programs include radio dramas addressing ethnic tension, TV debates promoting dialogue, and digital platforms for citizen engagement. Active in countries including Nigeria, Myanmar, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Egypt's national campaign to eliminate Hepatitis C, one of the world's most successful mass screening and treatment programs. Combined mass media awareness with community screening drives, treating over 4 million people. Used behavior change communication to reduce stigma and encourage testing.

Soul City is South Africa's pioneering edutainment initiative using prime-time TV and radio dramas to address gender-based violence since the 1990s. The fourth series focused on domestic violence, reaching 86% of audiences via TV, 65% via radio, and 25% via print. Evaluation found: 41% became aware of GBV helpline; 10% increase in disagreement that domestic violence is private; 22% shift in social norm perceptions. The program strongly associated with successful implementation of South Africa's Domestic Violence Act. Soul City is reviving as "Shayi'ndlela" (Turn the Tide) in 2026, funded by UK FCDO, specifically addressing intimate partner violence. The approach has reached 80%+ of South Africa's population including marginalized rural communities, adapting content across all official languages.

Breakthrough ACTION collaborated with media outlets in Nigeria to create and deliver content aimed at shifting health behaviors related to malaria prevention and treatment. The initiative utilized mass media to promote awareness and encourage positive health practices.

A couple communication intervention in Oromia, Ethiopia, developed using a human-centered design framework, demonstrated that encouraging open conversations about pregnancy and childbirth between couples leads to improved maternal and child health outcomes. The intervention utilized audio devices with radio stories modeling healthy, gender-equitable relationships.

A study by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs analyzed factors influencing modern contraceptive use among young married women in Ethiopian cities. Key drivers include radio exposure, contraceptive knowledge, and family size, with significant regional disparities in usage rates.

MTV Shuga is an award-winning edutainment drama series launched in 2009 by MTV Staying Alive Foundation to address HIV/AIDS among African youth. The show uses compelling storylines, trending music, and popular local actors to address HIV prevention, safe sex, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence, and stigma. Research shows viewers are 2x more likely to test for HIV. A dose-response relationship found greater exposure linked to higher odds of knowing HIV status. The series has aired in 40+ African countries and 70+ TV stations globally, with seasons set in Kenya, Nigeria (Shuga Naija), South Africa, and Cote dIvoire (Shuga Babi). Multiplatform approach includes TV, radio, graphic novels, peer education, and community viewing parties with HIV testing services.