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 877 – 888 of 971

Global Trade Facilitation Program

17.12.2018 - 16.12.2022

Trade is a key stimulus to economic growth and fundamental to the competitiveness of developing country firms and industries. With appropriate policies and programs, trade is a major source of employment and enhanced consumer welfare for the poor.


IFC Sustainable Cities Platform

01.12.2018 - 30.11.2023

The availability and quality of urban infrastructure and related services constitute an essential basis for enhancing competitiveness, reducing poverty and environmental and climate change impacts.


Env. Remediation Fund Central Asia

01.12.2018 - 31.12.2021

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Central Asian states have inherited a legacy of highly toxic and radioactive waste originating from uranium mining and milling activities. The Environmental Remediation Account (ERA), specially set up for financing remediation works and managed by EBRD, will finance projects at seven top priority sites.


Agri-Processing Resource Efficiency

15.11.2018 - 31.12.2022

The Agri-Processing Resource Efficiency (APRE) project implemented by IFC in South Africa aims at improving water use efficiency and productivity as well as energy use among companies in the agri-processing industry, in order to reduce operational costs and mitigate climate change risks.


Faizobod Water and Wastewater Project

01.11.2018 - 31.12.2021

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation services for the population of Faizobod is limited and of poor service quality due to deteriorated Soviet era infrastructure. The Project will increase access to safely managed, efficient and better-quality water supply and wastewater services and improve operational performance of the water utility.


UNDP National Commodities Program - Phase II

01.09.2018 - 31.08.2021

Agro-commodity production is an essential economic development driver for our partner countries and exports are top foreign income earners. However, commodity production is also driving some of the most important development problems today, such as causing deforestation or sustaining smallholder production model and inferior production practices that traps producers in poverty. Acknowledging this dilemma, the global demand for sustainably produced commodities is growing.


Supply Chain Finance Vietnam

01.06.2018 - 31.05.2023

The Supply Chain Finance (SCF) program in Vietnam facilitates SME's access to finance, allowing them to growth production and increase productivity. This is key as about half of the SMEs in Vietnam are un- or underserved by formal financial institutions.


Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, 2018-2022

01.05.2018 - 30.06.2022

The Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility is a World-Bank managed, multi-donor technical assistance facility aimed at creating an enabling environment for private sector investment in infrastructure, with the ultimate aim of improving lives through a better access to quality infrastructure services.


UN Trade Cluster Myanmar

01.05.2018 - 30.04.2022

The UN Trade Cluster country project Myanmar will be implemented in Shan State (Inle Lake area) by UNCTAD, ILO, UNIDO and ITC. The project provides for two outcomes in the area of horticulture supply and sustainable tourism development, while preparing the necessary conditions for selected value chains linking both sectors (backward linkages).


IFC: Green Bond Technical Assistance Program

21.04.2018 - 31.12.2023

The Program supports the creation of new markets for climate finance in emerging markets. The program contributes to developing green bond policies, providing training programs for bankers, and facilitating the adoption of the Green Bond Principles and international best practices and market standards.


Hayenna: Integrated Urban Development Project in Egypt

18.04.2018 - 31.03.2024

The project shall enhance the organizational capacity of local government units to better manage their land and linked local revenues. Furthermore, the project activities shall also support ongoing efforts aimed at improving the related legal and institutional frameworks at the national level. The project is implemented by UN-Habitat.


Biotrade Facilitation Programme Phase IV

01.04.2018 - 31.03.2022

The aim of the continued support to the Global BioTrade Facilitation Program, which is part of UNCTAD's BioTrade Initiative, is to synchronise and leverage results from previous phases and thus contribute that the BioTrade approach can further unfold its potential for biodiversity conservation as well as poverty reduction at the same time.

Object 877 – 888 of 971