Connecting Communities: Innovative Projects from Sound & Vision Funding.

In November 2023, Coimisiún na Meán approved €2.4 million for the independent radio sector under the Sound & Vision 4 Broadcasting Funding Scheme. Allocations to individual radio stations range from €35,000 to €95,000. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, made the funding available for this special round of the scheme, administered by Coimisiún na Meán. Commercial radio stations have used this funding to produce programmes covering a range of topics of interest to their listeners. The topics are Media Literacy; Digital Transformation; Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Developing Communities and Communities of Interest. 

This final installment of the blog series explores even more exceptional radio initiatives that continue to capture the essence of Irish life, amplify minority voices, and foster meaningful connections within local communities. This funding has not only strengthened Ireland’s independent radio sector but has also highlighted the diverse and vibrant communities across the country. 

Walk in My Shoes Podcast, Northern Sound 

Walk in My Shoes, a podcast series from Northern Sound, offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds across the region. Through personal stories of challenges and triumphs, this series allows listeners to step into the shoes of others and experience the world from their perspective.  

Martin Howard, Shannonside Northern Sound, speaking about the impact of the podcast, said, "This series has been instrumental in fostering empathy and understanding within our community, giving a voice to those who are often unheard." Covering topics from mental health to social inclusion, Walk in My Shoes has become a powerful platform for education and connection, making it a standout initiative in the Sound and Vision 4 Broadcasting Funding Scheme. 

Listen to the Walk in My Shoes Podcast by clicking here.

Pride of the Parish, KCLR 96FM 

Launched on KCLR 96FM in April 2024, Pride of Parish is a programme series that sees Monica Hayes visiting parishes across Carlow and Kilkenny to get a sense of the place and explore what’s important to the community living there. The show has brought listeners to various places, such as Leighlinbridge, Glenmore, and Bagenalstown. The show gives light to the people who bring these communities to life.  

In the final programme, aired at the end of July 2024, Monica Hayes meets the team from Leghlinbridge Improvement Group, who talk about some of the extraordinary successes the village achieved over the past few years in the likes of the Entente Florale and Pride of Place. They talk about the characters who have lived in the village over the years and the facilities and organisations that support the community.  

Over the course of four months, this programme has fostered a sense of community in parishes across Carlow and Kilkenny. You can listen to all episodes by clicking here.

Out in Cork, Cork’s 96FM 

Out in Cork, a new programme series from Cork’s 96FM, offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the diverse community in Cork. The show aims to bring listeners closer to Cork’s dynamic and vibrant LGBTQ community by amplifying voices and showcasing diverse stories. With special guests from a variety of experiences and backgrounds featured each week discussing the triumphs and struggles of the LGBTQ community in Cork.  

Presented by Mia Poland, the show features a variety of interviews with LGBTQ icons such as Drag Performer, Poppy de Scarce, HIV activist and author Will Kennedy and Orla Egan, writer of the Loafers documentary. The show also offers a series of important discussions including the history of the Pride movement and the international fight for trans rights.  

Out in Cork with Mia Poland airs every Sunday from 8pm-9pm on Cork’s 96FM. There are 8 episodes available so far. Click here to listen.

This blog series has explored a variety of projects funded by Round 50 of Coimisiún na Meán’s Sound and Vision 4. This special round empowered commercial radio stations to produce programmes on topics of significant interest to their listeners. The availability of this funding sparked a surge of innovation and creativity amongst the strong talent within the independent radio section in Ireland. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.