[Ict4devwg] Improving livelihoods with ICTs

[Vern Weitzel]

http://www.scidev.net/en/policy-briefs/improving-livelihoods-with-icts.html

Improving livelihoods with ICTs
Source: IIED
28 May 2009 | EN | 中文

Poor communities can enhance their livelihoods through ICTs
AGRECOL Andes
This policy brief, published by the International Institute for Economic 
Development (IIED) outlines how and why information and communication technology 
(ICT) projects do, or do not, work for development.

Rapid growth of ICTs in rural Africa and emerging economies such as Brazil and 
China is closing the gap in ICTs between North and South. Governments pushing 
ICT infrastructure projects such as mobile mast networks have successfully 
reduced access costs for many in the developing world.

But ICTs should also be strategic tools for development. Many ICT for 
development projects fail because they are technology-led rather than 
development-led or people-centred. To be successful and sustainable, projects 
must be tailored to a community's needs and ways of working.

Several examples show how poor communities can enhance their livelihoods through 
ICTs. The Linking Local Learners initiative in East Africa connects farmers with 
others in the supply chain through the Internet. The Busoga Rural Open Source 
and Development Initiative in Uganda provides agricultural extension services 
through mobile phones. And Grameen Telecom in Bangladesh provides microfinance 
for women in poor communities to buy and run community phones.

Development agencies should be analysing, and mapping, social network 
structures. This would help them understand communities' socio-cultural contexts 
and provide a guide for introducing ICTs in a sensitive way.

Measuring the success of ICT projects is also important. Output indicators such 
as the number of subscribers are easy to measure but do not report on what the 
technology is being used for, who is using it or how it is helping to improve 
livelihoods. More complex analysis is needed that considers impact on money, 
skills, motivation, confidence, trust and existing knowledge.

A lack of action, says the author, risks increasing the digital divide and 
losing out on sustainable development opportunities offered by ICTs.

Link to full policy brief from IIED [305kB]
http://www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/17051IIED.pdf

This policy brief was prepared by Ben Garside, IIED website developer and 
researcher in environmental economics.