Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are transforming the way governments, business and individuals learn, work and communicate with each other. If they are employed strategically within development programmes to promote access and sharing of relevant knowledge as well as fostering participation of the poor and marginalised in decision- making processes that affect their lives, ICTs help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

SDC focus

The focus of SDC from 2001 to 2008 was to support international mainstreaming efforts of ICTs in development processes, e.g. through supporting a series of targeted publications, thematic roundtables and particularly through strengthening to the development perspective and the multi-stakeholder process in the World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS). In addition to a direct support to the WSIS process and the promotion of the active participation of Civil Society Organisations from the South and the East therein, SDC has directly participated in and supported a whole range of organisations and networks active in the area of ICT4D (see below).

Support for most of these organisations was phased out between 2008 and 2010. The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) is responsible for Switzerland’s commitments in this area, in collaboration with the ECOSOC Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). The SDC is currently focusing on the integration of ICTs in its own projects and programmes (as a strategic instrument).

Background

ICTs encompass a full range of increasingly converging technologies, including traditional and emerging devices such as interactive community radios, television, mobile phones, computer and network hardware and software, the Internet, satellite systems, and podcasting. The effective use of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) is not just a question of infrastructure and software. It also requires an appropriate institutional and regulatory framework and the development of human capacity and relevant content. Holistic and contextualised implementation of ICTs is complex as it depends considerably on the sector or theme in which they are employed as well as the overall socio-economic context (access and affordability of infrastructure, human capacity, cultural habits). Thus ICTs should not be seen as a panacea for all development problems but rather an important tool to be applied as part of a broader strategy for sustainable development.

ICTs can be employed fulfilling three partly overlapping functions:

  • Access: Using ICTs to facilitate access to and sharing of timely and relevant information and knowledge.
  • Voice and Communication: Using ICTs to strengthen the voice of poor, excluded and disadvantaged people in decision-making and self-expression of their culture.
  • Networking: Using ICTs for networking and human communication while fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve effects on a larger scale (up-scaling).

The transformative potential of ICTs as a tool can be particularly harnessed to

  • increase efficiency: reaching more people while reducing transaction costs.
  • increase effectiveness: in terms of process, ownership, participation, networking and improvement of governance and better delivery of basic services such as education agricultural extension, microfinance and health.
  • improve innovation and productivity: for example for micro, small and medium enterprises through better access to information, credit, markets and procurement using ICT tools in management, marketing and distribution channels.

Links

Documents

Connecting people for a better world
Are information and communication technologies (ICT) such as computers, TV or mobile phones effective instruments to empower people, reduce poverty and improve lives? This book offers new answers to these questions.
Publication ICT4D – Connecting people for a better world (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Up-scaling pro-poor ICT-policies and practices
a review of experience with emphasis on low income countries in Asia and Africa
[en] (PDF, 1.9 MB, English)

Building Bridges across Time and Space – Experience and Success of a Telemedicine Pilot Project in Mongolia
Asia Brief - May 2013
[en] (PDF, Number of pages 4, 413.9 kB, English)

Information and Communication Technologies and large-scale poverty reduction - SDC/Panos 2005
Lessons from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Edited by Kitty Warnock and Ravi Wickremasinghe in cooperation with John McGill and Gerolf Weigel. Published by Panos London.
[en] (PDF, 799.0 kB, English)

ICTs and Education – Public-Private Partnership to connect Schools to the Net
A National Model in Switzerland - Summary of the Final Report
[en] (PDF, Number of pages 11, 1.7 MB, English)

Deepening Participation and Improving Aid Effectiveness through Media and ICTs
A Practical Manual Translating Lessons Learned into Daily Practice – SDC Working Paper
[en] (PDF, Number of pages 25, 632.2 kB, English)

Un seul monde
No 4/03 - Société de l'information
[fr] (PDF, 1.5 MB, French)

Chennai Statement - on Up-scaling Pro-Poor ICT Policies
[en] (PDF, Number of pages 6, 143.3 kB, English)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Poverty Reduction?
Discussion Paper - World Summit on Information Society WSIS 2003
[en] (PDF, Number of pages 71, 759.0 kB, English)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Poverty Reduction
in Sub Saharan Africa - A learning Study (Synthesis)
[en] (PDF, 454.3 kB, English)

Current projects

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Renewable Energy Skills Development RESD

01.04.2020 - 31.03.2025

The Renewable Energy Skills Development Project aims at supporting the expansion of Renewable Energy in Indonesia. It will do so by increasing the availability of qualified staff in the labor market for professional design, planning, installation, operation and maintenance of Renewable Energy (RE) power plants.


Modernization of Land Management in Colombia (Swiss Tierras) - Phase II

01.01.2020 - 31.12.2024

In the past, Colombia did not have a strong land management system, thus hindering economic development. With a first phase of support, SECO started to adress this gap. Phase II will now consolidate, further deepen and broaden the support, helping Colombia move further towards a modern land administration system.


Partnership f.Market Implementation Phase II

01.01.2020 - 30.06.2030

The Partnership for Market Implementation (PMI) responds to the increased demand from countries to focus on enabling mitigation policy instruments, including carbon pricing, that would support them in meeting their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets as well as to raise the ambition of their climate mitigation policies.


SwissTrade Program Vietnam

01.01.2020 - 31.12.2024

Vietnam?s development record over the past three decades through reforms and trade opening is remarkable. Despite trade liberalization in recent years, many Vietnamese exporters ? in particular SMEs ? still face substantial challenges.


Sustainable Tourism for SDGs Program

10.12.2019 - 30.04.2022

The Program promotes sustainable tourism practices. Through better informed tourism stakeholders and more certified businesses, the contribution of the tourism sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be increased. Tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly to all of the SDGs.


Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, Phase II

01.12.2019 - 31.03.2024

Phase II of SECO?s support to the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP) will focus on capacity development to sustainably plan, implement and operate hydropower plants in four selected priority countries (Albania, Colombia, Indonesia, Tajikistan) and on the co-financing of sustainability assessments in all SECO priority countries.


Energy Efficiency in Municipalities

01.12.2019 - 30.04.2025

SECO supports a project managed by the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) aiming at establishing basic municipal energy management and energy planning in smaller Ukrainian cities. These measures improve the energy efficiency and thereby contribute to climate change mitigation in the project cities.


Integrated Urban Development Ukraine II

01.11.2019 - 30.09.2023

SECO supports a project managed by the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) aiming at improving the conditions for implementing integrated urban development on national level and at preparing eight cities to the application of integrated urban development concepts in line with European good practice.


UNDP Strenghtening SMEs Business Membership Organisations in Ukraine Phase II

01.11.2019 - 31.12.2023

The project aims to enhance growth and competitiveness of SMEs and strengthen their voice in Ukraine. The project Strengthening SMEs Business Membership Organization Phase II is the continuation of the previous phase implemented in Ukraine between 2015-2018. The project is implemented by UNDP.


IFC: Financial Inclusion for Growth Ukraine

01.11.2019 - 31.12.2023

The Financial Inclusion for Growth Ukraine Project aims to improve access and responsible usage of financial services by the population and SMEs in remote areas and strive for a better financial inclusion (FI) in the country. The project is implemented by the International Finance Corporation.

Object 841 – 852 of 971