The advent of social media on the internet made information dissemination easily accessible to many people. We see a profound opportunity to harness the social media platforms for training /Workshops giving a voice to the marginalized Niger Delta communities and to push oil companies & government to be transparent in their dealings with them. This project will highlight the challenges faced by the identified community
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Iwherekan Community, Ughelli South ,Delta State
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
Iwherekan community is located in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. The major occupation in Iwherekan is farming and fishing. The community also play host to oil wells and flow stations,oil spills & gas flaring have truncated their livelihoods for many years now.Women and Youths in the area have little or no online/ social Media networking background, to express the Environmental Injustice that they suffer in the area.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
Democracy and environmental protection is at the fore front of the world’s sustainability concerns and oil polluting activities in the Niger Delta is a key issue in the ongoing climate debate. Livelihood impact news will be major stories. We will share their concerns, aspiration, contributions to development, efforts, drives, languages, and hopes. These will feature as text and photo blogs that will also allow for comments.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
ERA/FoEN is a grassroots organization that has established relationship with the Host Communities Network of Nigeria and Journalist Network for the Environment.These networks and organizations have expertise on media training and mobilizing community people to raise their voices. As an organization these groups have built capacity to help widen discussions on freedom of expression on environmental issues.We intend to work with other media Partner
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
ERA/FoEN targets training 50 direct individuals; women and youth groups and 250 other community people via a step down training expected to be monitored and facilitated by beneficiaries of the project. A town hall meeting and field visit with the participants will be embarked upon to sustain their interest and developed communication materials to inform and engage them.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
ERA/FoEN will need support in the area of materials and resources such as computers and mobile phones for training and coaching to drive home the message of the project. Library materials for participants as reference materials will also be required.
Contact name
Afoke Ohwojeheri
Organization
Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria