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 949 – 960 of 971

GEDAP III Ghana Electricity Sector Support Project

01.05.2014 - 30.06.2022

This project supports Ghana's efforts to provide national access to electricity. It does so by financing the extension of the electricity distribution network, and by strengthening the managerial, commercial and technical capacities of main sector public actors. The project also promotes energy efficiency and the development of renewable energies.


Municipal Infrastructure Programme MIP III / IV

01.05.2014 - 31.12.2021

The so called Municipal Infrastructure Programme (MIP) has the objective to improve access of the population of six medium sized cities in Albania to safe drinking water and to provide adequate sanitation through sewerage disposal.


National Solid Waste Management Program for Egypt

01.03.2014 - 31.12.2023

The National Solid Waste Management Program aims at supporting the establishment and implementation of effective policy, legislation and institutional arrangements for municipal solid waste management in Egypt, coupled with the implementation of related infrastructure.


Energy Efficiency Zhytomyr

01.01.2014 - 31.12.2022

The project aims at improving the municipal infrastructure and its energy efficiency. To do so, the district heating network will be rehabilitated, capacity will be built and the awareness about energy efficiency and renewable energy will be raised. The project will accompany Zhytomyr on its way to becoming an energy-efficient city.


Sanad Fund

01.01.2014 - 31.03.2028

The Sanad Fund is an investment vehicle, that provides debt and equity financing to banks and microfinance institutions. The ultimate beneficiaries are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The Middle East and North African region is the main target region of the Sanad Fund.


Kocani Waste Water Treatment Project

01.09.2013 - 31.12.2021

The project will finance the building of a waste water treatment plant in the city of Kocani. It will improve the water quality of one of the main rivers in the country. The project contributes to the sustainable development of the Kocani region through protection of the natural resources. This will promote the economic development of the region.


Improved Water and Wastewater Services Program - Phase II

01.07.2013 - 31.12.2023

The Improved Water and Wastewater Services Program - Phase II (IWSP II) plans to increase the coverage of water supply systems and wastewater treatment infrastructure in four Governorates of Upper Egypt (Qena, Assiout, Minya, Sohag).


Local Economic Development, Phase I

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2023

SECO is supporting a local economic development programme in selected municipalities in South Africa located in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province.


Improving Healthcare Hazardous Waste Management in Dakhaleya Governorate, Egypt

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2022

The Healthcare Hazardous Waste Management Project will realize one important aspect of the Egyptian National Strategy for Hazardous Medical Waste Management: the establishment of centralized incineration facilities including the required capacity building and training. The experience made with the project shall be fed back into the future discussion to revise and upgrade the strategy and into a policy dialog to improve health care waste management in Egypt.


North Tajik II Water Supply Project

01.01.2013 - 31.12.2021

Urban water supply in Tajikistan is in bad condition due to the lack of maintenance since the break-up of the Soviet Union. This project aims at improving the water supply in four cities in the North of Tajikistan through the combination of three components: physical investments, corporate development and consumer participation.


Competitive Industries and Innovation Program

03.10.2012 - 31.03.2022

Competitiveness strategies have recently gained renewed attention by focusing on specific industries. They target policies and public investments, catalyze private investments, and foster innovation systems with a view to growing those industries and therefore supporting job creation.


Partnership on Sustainable Urban Development - Phase II

01.07.2012 - 30.06.2023

The WB Trust Fund for Sustainable Urban Development - Phase II, is a continuation of the existing strategic cooperation with the World Bank on sustainable urban development. It will support cities in developing countries to sustainably plan and manage urban development with the help of evidence provided by the program.

Object 949 – 960 of 971