Community Radio (CR) Bolo

Jadeite Solution Pvt. Ltd

Community Radio (CR) Bolo

CR Bolo: A Hybrid Connectivity Model for Meaningful Access, Financial Accessibility & Rural Entrepreneurship

India

IND

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

Community Radios (CRs) in India played a vital role in providing last-mile access to information services during COVID pandemic. There are 450+ CR stations serving grassroots communities living in remotest regions where internet connectivity is scarcely available. Despite having CRs have stronghold with their communities, yet they face: • Unreliable internet connectivity to share, upload or broadcast their programmes and reach out to a wider-audience • Lack of economic sustainability Though CR stations have technical infrastructure, legal requirements and skilled human resources, yet CRs do not know their potential to provide a reliable and affordable connectivity services and create economic opportunities. At the same time, India is grappling with unemployability in the financial services sector, with nearly 1.8 million jobs are vacant in the finance sector due to lack of skilled professionals. According to WB Global Findex Database show that 55% of adults don’t have a bank account. Bridging this gap requires a concentrated efforts to extend banking services in rural populace, emphasizing need for a skilled workforce in the finance sector. Hence, CRs can be trusted agency to address unemployability in rural banks and financial institutions by establishing blended learning environment for local young fellows.

CR Bolo is a hybrid connectivity model (online and offline) for CR stations which are located where broadband internet is scarcely available. Four features are enabled with CR Bolo model: 1) Wireless P2P network for hybrid network 2) Plug-in-Play IVR (Interactive Voice Response) operating on the GSM and local network, 3) Localised learning and communication (LL&C) platform 4) Stored financial inclusion and banking curriculum on LL&C and the cloud. In 2021, we deployed CR Bolo at Radio Bulbul located in Bhadrak district of Orissa as PoC. Leveraging the height of Radio Bulbul tower, a wireless network was established in 5 kms radius connecting Radio Bulbul with 3 schools, 3 SHG centres and 50 women micro-entrepreneurs. IVR channel is used for broadcasting local content and receiving feedback. Till date, 1000 SHG women used CR Bolo for accessing financial information services. In 2024, we started scaling CR Bolo by integrating with banking and financial literacy curriculum on the LL&C as well as cloud. We started blended learning programs on digital financial literacy and banking for local young fellows. Since 2024, we have employed 20 young fellows in rural banks. This initiative promotes local content creation, improves livelihood opportunities, social and economic viability.

Female literacy rate Bhadrak is 62.85% which reflects a major gender difference. 6,500 villages are without any mobile network. Bhadrak faces a range of interconnected social, economic and educational challenges. There are over 8000 women SHG, however, they lack control on their finances because limited awareness on financial literacy and limited access to digital tools or internet connectivity for accessing digital financial services. CR Bolo is serving four different stakeholders 1. Radio Bulbul: a) Able to store the content locally and broadcast archived content without the internet b) CR station listeners can access archived content anytime c) Able to share the content as well as receive feedback from their listeners d) Using LL&C for various skill-building programs (including financial literacy, digital literacy, and CR management an operation) 2. SHGs a. Operating and managing the project and its finances b. Over 1000 SHG women are using the LL&C for disseminating information related to financial inclusion, banking and loan services 3. School Staff and students a. Opportunity for remote learning without having the internet 4. Youth a. Conducting digital financial literacy training to young fellows for giving them employability opportunities in rural banks. 20 young fellows are employed in rural banks