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

Object 133 – 144 of 971

UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Trust Fund (MPTF)

01.05.2020 - 31.12.2022

The MPTF provides the opportunity to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on the poorest countries. It complements Switzerland’s support to the UN’s humanitarian response beyond the immediate sanitary response. It is an opportunity for a coherent and coordinated UN COVID-19 response. It is an expression of Swiss solidarity to avoid that people fall into poverty and that inequalities between people and countries grow as a result of COVID-19. 


Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) – Least Developed Countries (LDC) Risk Support

10.03.2020 - 31.03.2023

To accelerate Swiss investments into Least Developed Countries (LDCs), this programme will establish a co-operation between SDC and the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM). The co-operation is built on the provision of first loss guarantees, financed by SDC, for SIFEM investments benefitting local Small and Medium Enterprises in LDCs. This innovative programme will also build capacities in local financial markets and help to mobilize private and public sector funds for fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals.


Mali : UNICEF — Protection des enfants affectés par les conflits armés

01.03.2020 - 28.02.2023

Les violations graves des droits de l'enfant sont en forte augmentation au Mali. Le recrutement de

filles et de garçons par les groupes armés a doublé en 2019. En contribuant à ce projet de

l'UNICEF, la Suisse intensifie la surveillance et la prévention de ces violations, facilite le retrait de

400 enfants des groupes armés et soutient leur réintégration sociale et éducative durable. La

Suisse contribue ainsi à la cohésion sociale et fait concourir les efforts humanitaires, de

développement et de paix.


Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE)

01.03.2020 - 31.05.2024

Inspired by aspects of the Swiss Vocational Skills Development model, the Opportunities for Youth Employment project aims to improve the livelihoods of young rural and peri-urban out-of-school women and men. In addition to building youths' skills-set and connecting them with existing markets for gainful selfemployment in agriculture and renewable energy, this project will also contribute to a more youth friendly and effective market system and policy environment Co-funding is provided by the private sector.


FAO Desert Locust Emergency Response in the Horn of Africa Region

20.02.2020 - 19.06.2021

To control the spread of the worst outbreak of desert locusts in decades in the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya) and safeguard livelihoods of thousands of affected vulnerable households, Switzerland intends to contribute to the regional desert locust crisis appeal by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. 


China: MoFCOM med. donation 2019-nCoV

14.02.2020 - 31.12.2020

As of 17th of February 2020, a total of 70’548 cases and 1’770 deaths have been reported in China alone; while 877 cases and 5 deaths are reported amongst 29 countries. A vaste majority of the cases have been diagnosed in Hubei Province, putting the provincial care system under considerable stress.

 

The Swiss Embassy in Beijing has been approached by the Ministry of Commerce (MoFCOM) Corona-Virus Coordination Unit with a list of medical equipment urgently required for Hubei Province hospitals responding to the 2019 n-CoV epidemi

cs.

 


Contribution to the VII Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean

01.02.2020 - 31.03.2022

Financially support the Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Jamaica 2020 (RPDRR 20) co-convened by CDEMA and UNDRR with a non-earmarked contribution to the overall costs and thereby assist implementation of the Sendai Framework in the Americas. Accompany this contribution by providing assistance in the preparations relying on the experience from previous platforms and the GPDRR 19 and support the participation of key stakeholders in the Americas that exhibit their activities in collaboration with SDC.


Mercy Corps - Building Resilience in Conflict-Affected Communities (BRAC)

01.02.2020 - 31.01.2022

South Kordofan is one of the areas in Sudan were the armed conflict is temporarily halted, but not yet solved, and many communities are still suffering from its consequences. These communities are hosting significant numbers of IDPs and refugees from war torn South Sudan, who share the very limited available resources. The project aims at increasing the resilience of female and male members of vulnerable households to economic, social and climate related shocks through improved access to gender responsive basic services and increased agricultural production.


"Swiss Bluetec Bridge" - mettre la technologie des start-up suisses du secteur de l'eau au service des pauvres

01.02.2020 - 31.05.2024

Si les défis auxquels sont confrontés le secteur de l'eau ouvrent un large champ aux innovations technologiques, notamment dans l'approvisionnement en eau potable, ces innovations servent rarement les populations démunies. Le Swiss Bluetec Bridge rempli le vide entre soutien public aux PME et investissements privés afin que les entreprises suisses innovantes mettent de manière durable leurs technologies de pointe au service des pauvres.


Global Dialogue on Digital Financing for Sustainable Development

01.02.2020 - 30.06.2022

Digital finance holds great potential to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, as well as risks. New global initiatives such as Libra are currently opening up fundamental governance questions in that field. This represents a unique window of opportunity for Switzerland, which has always pushed for inclusive intergovernmental processes, to ensure that these governance discussions are inclusive and address the challenges of sustainable development.


Contribution to IFRC Emergency Appeal: Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak

31.01.2020 - 31.12.2020

As of 06. February 2020 a total of 28’292 infections and 565 deaths have been reported with the majority of the cases occurring in China.

The preliminary Emergency Appeal from the IFRC is seeking Swiss Francs 3 Million to support Red Cross Red Crescent Societies globally, to contribute to stopping transmission of the virus, and helping to ensure the health and dignity of communities affected by the outbreak. IFRC will work closely with National Societies in countries where transmission has taken place, and on preparedness measures for all countries. The main area of focus for this response is Health and WASH, which will include risk communication and community engagement, psychosocial support, capacity building of NS on epidemic response and support. Other areas of focus are protection, gender and inclusion and migration. While at the moment the response is largely in the Asia Pacific region, the IFRC is supporting National Societies in at risk countries with preparedness activities. The IFRC at global, country and regional level is coordinating with other agencies including WHO, UNICEF and CDC in information sharing and guidance.


WFP Haiti Supply Chain Response

06.01.2020 - 30.04.2021

Face à la hausse de l'insécurité en Haiti depuis 2018 avec un pic ces 3 derniers mois, l'accès des acteurs humanitaires et de développement à leurs zones d'intervention est devenu difficile. Les populations en besoin d'assistance sont à la hausse sans pouvoir être assistées à cause des lacunes des capacités logistiques. La DDC supporte cette intervention en vue de faciliter la reprise/continuité des activités, renforcer les capacités logistiques (aérienne, maritime, terrestre ..) en vue d'atteindre les populations en besoin d'assistance.

Object 133 – 144 of 971