The International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) is the only multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community to discuss and promote media development in developing countries.
The programme provides support for media projects and seeks an accord to secure a healthy environment for the growth of free and pluralistic media.
The objectives of IPDC are set in the context of UNESCO’s New Communication Strategy that is:
- To encourage the free flow of information at international and national levels;
- To promote a wider and better balanced dissemination of information with no obstacle to freedom of expression.
- To strengthen communication capacities in developing countries.
To facilitate implementation of the programme each UNESCO Member State is required to form a National Committee to coordinate programme activities at the national level.
In 2010 United Republic of Tanzania established the National Committee for the IPDC which have the mandate to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the IPDC programmes at national level and advice the government on all issues related to communication for development.
The IPDC National Committee works under the following activities:
- Encourage and promote free flow of information at national level
- Encourage and promote open dialogue and transparency of administration at local level and offer a voice of voiceless
- Approve plans for the mobilization of resources for the national committee
- Serve as a reference group and liaison with other stakeholders
- Undertake any other function it thinks necessary or expedient to furthering the interest of the programme.
IPDC Project Proposal
Submission of the Project Proposals
Radios, television stations, media training institutes, professional journalists, media development agencies and community media organization are eligible to write proposals and seek support from IPDC.
- The project proposals should focus on IPDC priority areas of:
- Promoting press freedom and media pluralism,
- Development of community media,
- Enhancing professional capacity and
- Building partnerships for media improvements
The project proposal must be submitted by using the official IPDC project form before 30 July of every year.
The proposal should not be longer than 5 pages; background information beyond those 5 pages will be useful to assess the proposal and the budget.
Interested and eligible applicants from the United Republic of Tanzania are invited to submit project proposals in any one of the IPDC priority areas. All proposals should be channelled through the UNESCO National Commission for endorsement and final submission to the Inter –Governmental Programme Committee for consideration.
