Craol is the representative, co-ordinating, lobbying, training, and support group for the Irish Community Radio Movement. It is a registered FETAC Training Provider.

The activities of Craol can be grouped under five headings:

1. Training (Skills Development)

2. Communication (Station Development)

3. Advocacy (Sector Development)

4. Networking (Network Development)

5. Governance (Implementation, Evaluation, & Administration)

Achievement Awards – The annual Craol Achievement Awards were inaugurated in 2007 to provide community radio stations with an opportunity to showcase their achievements and to be acknowledged by the CRAOL network of Community Radio Stations. Member Stations are asked to submit programmes from their schedule which deal with certain themes selected by Craol. There were Six Categories in 2009, three Core Categories which will be repeated in 2010, plus three rotating categories which will not appear again for a number of years. Fully licenced Stations can enter for up to three Categories and Aspirant Stations can submit a programme for one category. 

Advanced Skills and Forum weekend – Each Autumn, in October, Craol holds a residential weekend providing targetted training for Station Managers (Management and enhancing station operations), Chairs/Secretaries (Governance structures, planning  and community ownership). and station Trainers (advanced skills).  Training is done by trainers external to the network. This training is then applied and shared internally at Féile.

Advocacy – Craol plays a vital role in influencing legislators, regulators, and funding bodies on behalf of it’s members.  Recent successes including ensuring that community media was a fundable activity under the Community Services Programme (CSP), acceptance of common Sound and Vision auditing guidelines, and legal recognition of community radio in the new broadcasting bill.

Archiving – Craol has made regular submissions to the BAI consultation process on Archiving over the past 3 years. The programme exchange element of this website will act as a mini-archive for the best of community radio and will provide valuable information on usability, retrieval, and tagging to feed into future Archiving initiatives.

Aspirant Supports – For information on setting up a Communtiy Radio Station and more please click here.

Books, Handbooks, and Guides – CRAOL funded the Publication of “Bicycle Highway; Celebrating Community Radio in Ireland – Edited by Dr Rosemary Day, Published by  Liffey Press 2007. It also published “Putting Down Roots – an Aspirant Handbook” for groups setting up a station in 2008. These key publications are complemented by a series of CRAOL guides on topics ranging from securing sponsorship, to business planning, along with the “10-Questions Answered on ...” series.  

Campus/Student Supports - There are currently 3 fully licenced Campus Radio Stations broadcasting up to 20 hours per day. These are: Flirt FM (Galway), Cork Campus (Cork) & Wired FM (Limerick).    

A number of stations operate within 3^rd Level institutions on temporary licences in some cases lasting just a week in others for 30 days of the year. 

It was recognized in 2008 that the impact of training measures such as Féile on volunteers in Campus based Community Radio is much reduced due to the naturally rotating nature of Campus volunteers. Equally it is difficult to address all of the training needs/concerns for campus volunteers within the Féile structure due to the nature of their station.  Thus was born the Campus Connections event.

Following on a successful pilot in Limerick in  2008, in October 2009 Flirt FM played host to a residential weekend training event specifically for Campus stations  The weekend focused on enthusing and providing skills new campus radio volunteers, and sharing experiences and best practice between campus stations. 

CRAOL is also reviewing potential for masterclasses for managers, staff and senior volunteers with campus stations. 

CRAOL Assistance (helpline, Station visits, mentoring) – For more information on this please click here. 

Commissioned Research - CRAOL commissions independent research on topics of importance to the network. This research informs CRAOLs advocacy work, and strategic planning. In 2003 CRAOL commissioned “Community Radio in Ireland: Its contribution to Community Development’ (Unique Perspectives), in 2008 CRAOL commissioned “The Sound and Vision Scheme - its impact on the Community Radio Sector” (Maria Gibbons).

CRAOL Community Radio Conference - A one day high profile Community Radio Conference aims to generate respect for, and awareness of, the community radio movement OUTSIDE of the movement.  Its further aim is to stimulate debate within the movement as to the nature and potential of the movement. Provocative speakers from community radio internationally will be complemented by Irish based speakers from within the community radio movement and speakers from Irish civil society. Participants will be members of the Irish Community Radio movement, policy makers, funding agencies, and the community and voluntary sector in general.

Cross-Border Co-operation – CRAOL is working closely with it’s sister organization; the Community Media Council of Northern Ireland, to identify areas of co-operation and joint activities on an all island basis.  The two organizations are currently developing a multi-year strategic framework to put this work on a formal footing. The plan will also include CRAOL engagement with the UK-Wide Community Media Association (CMA). 

Development Ladder – For more information on this please see the Ladder button on the toolbar below.

e-Bulletin -  is a newsletter distributed monthly via e-mail to over 400 Subscribers. It aims to raise awareness of CRAOL activities, news & dates, direct to boards, staff/volunteers and 3rd parties. It has proven very effective in breaking down intra-station communication barriers, driving usage of the CRAOL website and maximising participation in CRAOL events.  Subscribers who have stated an interest in community radio have an opt-out option with each mail. Sophisticated email management software manages subscribers.

Funding Applications - Please see the Funding button on the toolbar below.

European Networking – CRAOL is a member both of the Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE) and AMARC - Europe contributing to policy creation, advocacy, and networking at a European level. CRAOL is also active in AMARC-WIN, supporting the development of women in community broadcasting.

Féile -  is the biggest annual event on the Irish Community Radio Calendar. Over 120 participants drawn from member stations take part in between 12 and 24 workshops on all aspects of Community Radio - from Outside Broadcasts to Station Management, Community Development to documentary production and everything in between. Held over the course of a weekend, Féile is hosted by a different station in April/May of every year. In 2006 it was held in Inishowen, in 2007 Dundalk, 2008 Lucan, and in 2009 Claremorris.

FETAC Training – Please see our FETAC section on the FETAC Tab at the top.

Group Insurance – See Separate Section on right-hand menu or click here.

Irish Language Development - See Separate Section on right-hand menu or click here.

Media Literacy –is a growing area with the explicit text relating to it in the new broadcasting bill. Community Radio is uniquely placed to deliver media literacy initiatives. CRAOL is currently creating a strategic framework under which such initiatives could be delivered. This framework is  reviewing the current state of Media Literacy education in Ireland and proposing mechanisms through which community radio can fulfil its potential in this area, the materials and training structures required, and delivery mechanisms.  You can contribute to the development of this framework here.

Mutual Co-operation Agreement - See Separate Section on right-hand menu or click here.

Needs-based Workshops - CRAOL runs one-day practical workshops on specific topics on a regular basis. The demand for such workshops is driven by: 
• specific common needs  of volunteers/staff within stations such as those of documentary makers or technicians
• response to specific external situations such as large scale funding opportunities such as the Community Services Programme, or changes in the legal framework.

Policy Development – CRAOL has developed network level policies on aspirant support, internal talent development and financial management. It has also developed standard policies for use/tailoring by members in the areas of recruitment, board operations, child protection, station operations and volunteer management.

Programme Exchange - Relevant Programming Material is shared between stations using the CRAOL Programme Exchange. For more please click here.

Research Surveys were carried out with members of the CRAOL Network in 2006 and 2008 covering aspects of operation from volunteers, staffing, equipment, funding, training, programming, and board operations. 

Shared Resources - See Separate Section on right-hand menu or please click here.

Strategic Planning – CRAOL operates according to a 3 year strategic plan with an annual activity plan derived from the 3 year plan. As an organization it is currently undergoing a strategic planning process for 2010-2012 facilitated by an external contractor.  This process is complemented by a sustainability review which is examining CRAOLs delivery structures and resourcing.  
CRAOL also provides assistance to member stations in strategic planning through the provision of resources, support in applying to the Community Broadcaster Support Scheme and through mentoring.

Train the Trainers/Training – See the FETAC Tab at the top.