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 901 – 912 of 971

Flood Risk Management in the Polog Region, Macedonia

01.01.2018 - 31.12.2023

SECO?s contribution to the UNDP "Resilience to Floods in the Polog Region" program aims at improving the resilience to floods of the Polog region of Macedonia through institutional strengthening, flood mitigation infrastructure and Swiss knowledge transfer.


Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Program

01.12.2017 - 31.12.2021

The Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Program (GPSCP) aims at supporing inclusive and sustainable growth through enhanced trade and competitiveness and creation of more and better jobs. The program will address constraints to private sector competitiveness and job creation, which currently exist at all levels, from different angles.


Mobility Multi-Donor Trust Fund

01.12.2017 - 31.12.2021

The Mobility Multi-Donor Trust Fund managed by the World Bank informs transport policies and infrastructure projects with solutions for sustainable mobility and works with selected low and middle-income countries in implementing such solutions.


Wastewater Collection and Treatment in Zenica

01.12.2017 - 31.12.2021

The project, co-financed with the German Development Bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, KfW) entails the construction of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and necessary measures for the municipal wastewater network. Additionally, activities for Corporate Development of the public utility and minor urban development measures are planned.


IFC Debt Resolution Program, Phase II

01.11.2017 - 31.03.2022

The Debt Resolution Program contributes to effective debt management frameworks in Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Kosovo.


Program for Sustainable Tourism Development

01.11.2017 - 31.12.2022

Indonesia has the potential to develop a world-class tourism industry, because the country has many natural and cultural tourism assets. The World Economic Forum?s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 ranks Indonesia 42nd (out of 141 countries). Despite this potential, Indonesia faces serious sustainability challenges.


Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP)

01.11.2017 - 30.11.2022

The Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) implemented with UNIDO addresses challenges faced by exporters from developing countries, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to meet and prove conformity with market entry requirements/standards, technical regulations and market requirements.


MENA Financial Inclusion: Women Banking Champions Program

16.10.2017 - 30.09.2021

The Women Banking Champions Program aims at increasing access to financial services for women and women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region through the provision of advisory services to financial institutions (banks and microfinance institutions). It is a contribution to SECO/WE's inclusive and sustainable growth mandate.


Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises SCORE, Phase III

01.10.2017 - 31.12.2021

SCORE is one of SECO's flagship programmes to foster more & better jobs in small and medium enterprises (SME) in partner countries. SCORE provides on-the-job training for workers and managers to improve productivity and working conditions in SMEs and help them to participate in global supply chains. SCORE is a joint programme with Norway and ILO.


World Bank Financial Sector Strengthening Program

01.10.2017 - 30.09.2021

The Program aims at strengthening the stability of the financial sector and promoting the development of a sound and inclusive financial sector that fosters sustainable economic growth and job creation in Indonesia.


Kyrgyzstan: Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings

01.10.2017 - 31.12.2023

Given the high energy intensity of Kyrgyzstan (with buildings being the main energy consumer), SECO will support the Government?s Action Plan to reduce energy consumption by demonstrating energy efficiency benefits in public buildings in the health and education sectors. The project will also help to build local expertise on energy efficiency.


Urban Transformation Program

01.08.2017 - 31.12.2022

Urban transformation has become one of the top priorities of Colombian cities for tackling their growing urban challenges. The SECO supported Urban Transformation Program aims at (re-)vitalizing the public space through innovative urban infrastructures in selected Colombian Cities in order to promote their economic development.

Object 901 – 912 of 971