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 85 – 96 of 971

Working for Health (W4H)

01.11.2020 - 31.10.2025

More health workers with the right skills are needed to achieve the SDGs, particularly in low income countries. Switzerland contributes to a joint WHO, ILO and OECD program providing catalytic support to governments, social partners and other key stakeholders to develop, finance and implement national health workforce strategies and investment plans. This will improve the supply and employment of health workers, maximise their performance, create decent jobs and accelerate progress towards UHC.   


International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), SDC Membership 2021-2024

01.10.2020 - 31.12.2023

International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) is a global initiative to improve transparency of development and humanitarian resources addressing poverty and crises. The IATI statistical data standard delivers information for donor and recipient countries to improve coordination, accountability and effectiveness of international cooperation to achieve the SDGs efficiently.

As a member of IATI, SDC will contribute to increase outreach of data to partner countries. 


Governing Health Futures 2030 Youth Network

01.10.2020 - 30.06.2023

Stronger governance of digital technology, data and artificial intelligence is required to maximise the benefits – and mitigate the risks – of health in a digital age for the next generation. To date, young people’s needs and perspectives have been largely overlooked in the design, application and governance of digital health and data. Through this proposal, Switzerland will support greater youth involvement in governing health futures.


COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator

01.10.2020 - 30.09.2023

The COVID-19 pandemic affects people worldwide, also in low and middle-income countries where health systems are even less prepared to respond to health shocks. In order to save lives, reduce the need for hospitalization and hence to relieve health systems, safe and efficacious preventive and curative treatments are needed. Switzerland supports research and development of and access to COVID-19 treatments – an area where Swiss science and pharma are strongly engaged.


The Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi

01.10.2020 - 31.12.2025

People in low and lower- middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic as they often rely on fragile health systems to fight it. Because of the pandemic, routine immunization campaigns have been stopped or massively scaled-down, which in turn will severely impact the health of millions in these countries. Switzerland supports the Geneva-based Vaccine Alliance Gavi to provide equitable access to vaccines, including a future COVID-19 vaccine.


RésEAU cum Aguasan (formerly SDC Water Network RésEAU’)

01.10.2020 - 30.09.2025

Water security is a key prerequisite of sustainable development and for achieving the Agenda 2030. Herein SDC’s Water Network ‘RésEAU’ plays a key role in supporting efforts towards a water secure world by strengthening the required thematic expertise, helping to better capitalize key learnings and supporting transformational change in line with the new Bill 2021-2024. The next phase of the RésEAU will allow to be ‘fit for purpose’ and to better respond to future challenges and opportunities.


Sustainable and Innovative Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SIRWASH)

01.10.2020 - 31.12.2024

The Sustainable and Innovative Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SIRWASH) initiative improves enabling policy, innovation and knowledge environments and fosters the required capacities to provide sustainable quality water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to rural communities – in particular poor households and vulnerable people – in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Haiti and Peru. It builds on Switzerland’s over 20 years of experience in strengthening rural WASH systems in Peru and Colombia.


Upgrading Karm Abu Salem Crossing - Gaza

01.10.2020 - 31.12.2022

Switzerland will support improving the export/import conditions of goods to and from the Gaza Strip.

The project, implemented by UNOPS, will upgrade the poor infrastructure at the Palestinian side of

the only functioning commercial crossing between Gaza and Israel. The existing infrastructure con-

ditions are causing around 10% of damages to the transiting commodities thus incurring substantial

economic losses that are affecting the living conditions of two million people in the Gaza Strip


Supporting Small-scale Dairy Production

01.10.2020 - 30.09.2024

This contribution aims at improving economic empowerment and resilience of women dairy producers in Abkhazia and Samegrelo. The protracted conflict in Abkhazia impedes socio-economic development, leading to high poverty and vulnerability to external shocks, as COVID-19. Women are particularly vulnerable, as they are also victims of gender-based discrimination and domestic violence. Farmer Field Schools will empower women by enhancing their technical and leadership skills.


Low Carbon Cement (LCC) - Phase 3 (Exit Phase)

15.09.2020 - 14.09.2022

Cement production contributes significantly to global warming. This phase aims at the commercial deployment of a new cement type (LC3) which emits 15-30% less CO2 compared to standard cements. LC3 was extensively researched by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) with partners in Cuba and India. Industrial deployment will be achieved through commercial production and application by the construction sector mainly in India and Latin America with support of the project.


Open source Health Insurance Management Information System (openHIMIS)

01.09.2020 - 31.12.2023

Many middle- and low-income countries strive to set up or expand national, district- or community- based health insurance schemes. For effective business processes bigger schemes require appropriate health insurance information management systems. Yet, countries have insufficient capacities to set up and manage such systems. The initiative aims to develop an open source, hence affordable and cost-effective ICT-based system with no restrictions on its use, change or distribution.


Contribution au Mécanisme de réponse rapide (MRR) pour la riposte CoVID-19

01.09.2020 - 30.04.2021

La COVID-19 a impacté la capacité des acteurs humanitaires à conduire leurs activités alors que le pays est frappé par des mouvements de populations sans précédents. Suite à une demande du consortium du Mécanisme de réponse rapide (MRR) – dont Action contre la Faim (ACF) est le chef de file –, cette proposition de crédit a pour objectif de contribuer à atténuer les effets négatifs de l’épidémie sur la capacité des acteurs humanitaires à porter assistance aux personnes impactées par la crise actuelle.

Object 85 – 96 of 971