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Home»GSDRC Publications»Impact of Communication for Development (C4D)

Impact of Communication for Development (C4D)

Helpdesk Report
  • Claire Mcloughlin
March 2011

Question

How does Communication for Development (C4D) make development more effective? Give practical, tangible examples of where C4D activities have improved development outcomes or helped achieve development goals. If possible, include examples which demonstrate that without C4D those goals would not have been reached.

Summary

Development agencies are increasingly recognising the potential of communication for development (C4D) to improve development outcomes and to enhance the overall effectiveness of aid programmes. This coincides with growing evidence of the impact of C4D on the MDGs. This report provides some practical, tangible examples of where C4D activities have improved development outcomes or helped achieve development goals.

C4D is seen to have both instrumental and intrinsic value in development processes. It has had a tangible impact on improving development outcomes across a number of sectors. More broadly, strategic communications can increase the overall effectiveness of aid programmes by helping to foster the political support, public will and buy in of key stakeholders necessary for success. Well-planned communications strategies have helped address the political economy of reform across a range of interventions.

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Enquirer:

  • Australian Government

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