Youth voices promoted through participation, programming.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 4, 2025) The Salesian community in Formosa, Argentina is strengthening the work for youth done through Radio Manantial thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The goal of the radio station is to provide support to those living in the city, especially youth, and to promote youth voices.

As a result of the funding, Salesians were able to increase youth participation in the radio station. Salesians added six new programs, three of which are led by youth. The programs address issues relevant to youth and encourage their participation in radio activities. Salesians have also been able to expand the presence of the radio station in traditional community spaces and on new platforms to help bring more awareness to its activities.

In addition, Salesians completed building renovations including modifications and refurbishment of the recording and broadcasting studio. They were also able to purchase new equipment to increase the quality of sound and streaming, as well as hold training to improve the skills of the technical team.

A Salesian explained, “Since the launch of this project, we have seen a significant increase in the number of visits to the radio station’s website and social media. There have also been 13 outdoor broadcasts in the city and one in the countryside. We have held activities with four schools, promoting the participation and collaboration of the radio community.”

The project benefited people both within the team at the radio station and the community. There are four people on the technical team along with nine students trained in radio operations. There are also 22 radio program hosts and 981 people from the Salesian educational communities involved in the project. Additionally, through broadcasts, Salesians were able to engage 10 parish communities, reaching 150,000 people who receive the FM radio signal.

To help build revenue for the radio station and keep it sustainable, Salesians launched a campaign to find new sponsors, offering advertising on multiple platforms. They are also able to rent the radio spaces for audiovisual productions. Both of these actions will reduce dependence on external contributions and ensure the continuity of broadcasts.

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Contact: media@salesianmissions.org