Accountability Lab Pilots “Oil Talk” Radio Show in Liberia with CEMESP
Accountability Lab is partnering with the Center for Media Studies and Peace-building (CEMESP) in Liberia to pilot an innovative new approach to corruption in the emerging oil industry. The “Oil Talk” radio program aims to disseminate important information on oil revenues and generate discussion among citizens around how these funds are being spent. “Oil Talk” will be hosted by two community radio stations located in oil-concession counties of the country: Rivercess Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Cape Mount. The stations will use information gathered by the Accountability Lab and CEMESP from the Liberian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (LEITI) as the basis [...]
Accountability Lab Creates Network of “Hip Co” Accountability Ambassadors in Liberia
Last month, Accountability Lab launched “Hip Co for Accountability” – an initiative to use the hugely popular and uniquely Liberian genre of music, Hip Co, to spread awareness and empowerment to a much wider segment of the Liberian population, particularly the younger generation and those less able to read and write. Twelve of the most influential Hip Co artists in the country have agreed to join a network of Accountability Ambassadors: Takun J, Nasseman, JB Soulfresh, Shining Man, Lil Bishop, Dr. C, Pochano, Picardo, JD Donzo, Uncle Shaq, Blackest 305, and Santos. After receiving training on the fundamentals of accountability, [...]
The Lab Catalyzes Citizen Journalism in Liberia
This week the Accountability Lab launched its first online crowdfunding campaign to raise $3,000 in 30 days to support the work of “Accountapreneur” Alfred Sirleaf. Alfred is a Liberian citizen journalist who understood the hunger for information in his country. In response, he devised an innovative solution: the “Daily Talk,” a large chalk-billboard at one of the capital’s busiest road intersections- through which he curates and displays the most relevant and important news stories in a way that all can understand. The “Daily Talk” has been internationally recognized in the New York Times and Al Jazeera but no one has [...]
The Accountability Lab Launches the Nepal Accountapreneurship Fund
The Accountability Lab launched a new support tool for Nepalis with innovative accountability ideas today. The Nepal “Accountapreneurship” Fund (NAF) will identify “accountapreneurs” (individuals, groups or organizations that demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach to accountability issues); provide catalytic grants to these accountapreneurs for small-scale, innovative and sustainable approaches to accountability and transparency; support effective implementation of ideas through training, mentoring, and networking; and ensure sustainability through connecting accountapreneurs to additional local and national funding sources. Seed grants of up to US$2,000 will be made to successful applicants- to be combined with 10% matching funds from the grant-winners themselves. An initial grant [...]