A Portuguese radio station is providing essential language skills to children – and making connections with young Portuguese speakers across the globe.

Launched  in 2015 and based in Leina, Western PortugalRádio Miúdoshas seen its influence grow to reach audiences in an awe-inspiring 96 countries.  The world’s first radio station dedicated solely to educating young people in the Portuguese language, its contributors include media professionals, teachers, musicians and other professionals – together with a core team of children who help to produce and present shows.

Financed by the European Social Fund and Portugal's Social Inclusion and Employment Operational Programme (PO ISE), the station operates a fully Portuguese programme, which includes Brazilian dialects, as well as various Creoles from Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and East Timor.

The station hosts shows on a wide range of topics, from traditional Portuguese stories, to interesting and fun programmes covering t culture, history, science, ecology, health, technology and leisure activities.

Rádio Miúdos broadcasts exclusively online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has its own free app, available on Android and IOS. On the station’s website, an innovative feature allows anyone to record a voice message for broadcast.

Project Manger Veronica Milagre is passionate about the station’s capacity to bring Portuguese-speaking children together from countries worldwide, stating, ‘kids can do radio wherever they are, they only need internet and a bit of Portuguese.  All of the projects associated with the station have the same mission statement – to give a voice to the kids.  We go to schools to help children set up their own radio stations – promoting active citizenship, as well as broadening their knowledge and point of view.’

By working with children to share content, music, language and information  adapted for their age group, Rádio Miúdos isn't just offering young people a way to learn and play with language – it's bringing together a world of Portuguese speakers.

Maria Rita, a student who started producing her own programs on the station four years ago, believes the project has helped her learn many skills that are wonderful additions to her daily life, ‘This project is important – it gives value to countries of Portuguese origin, and helps kids think for themselves.’

If you know or want to learn Portuguese, visit the website of Radio Muidos and/or download the app.