ICT and Rural Livelihoods Paul Matthews Overseas Development Institute infoDev / ARD Workshop, Washington D.C. 5 June 2007

The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) ICT and the livelihoods framework Updating our knowledge

The livelihoods approach Livelihoods –the ways people realise goals for themselves, family and friends –income generation opportunities, access to social networks, natural resources, public infrastructure human resources (skills, good health, confidence), input into policies

Key features of SLA People-centred, focus on existing strengths Responsive and participatory Poverty as a multi-dimensional, multi-level problem Implemented through partnerships Holistic, cross-sectoral and dynamic Balanced economic, institutional, social and environmental sustainability

ICT –Information technology (Computing) –Broadcast technology (TV & Radio) –Telecommunications and networking (Mobile & fixed) ICT and the livelihoods framework

Mapping ICT to livelihood assets 1 Capital AssetPotential positive impact of ICT Natural Capital (natural resource stocks)  Mapping and access to institutions Social Capital (relationships and networks)  Family and social networking  Link to local and national government  Advice and counselling for life events  Remote education links Human Capital (skills, knowledge and basic health)  Better access to information, including that in local languages  School connectivity & E- learning  Health advice and access to healthcare  Capture and storage and sharing of indigenous knowledge  New working skills

Physical Capital (basic infrastructure needs)  Access to ICTs  Access to cheaper production equipment Financial Capital (income, savings, credit)  Increased profit margins through better access to market information  Potential for improved access to financial services  Remittances from migrant workers  Reduction in transport costs Capital AssetPotential positive impact of ICT Mapping ICT to livelihood assets 2

A livelihoods approach to ICT (FAO/DFID/ODI, 2003) Use realistic technologies Build on existing systems Use local content Encourage equitable access Build capacity (local institutions) Encourage knowledge partnerships Share costs

Implications for programme design Participatory needs assessment, system design and indicator negotiation Multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral consultation Iterative implementation and evaluation Putting the I & C before the T Flexibility and “mix and match” in technology prescriptions

Source: ActionAid / Reflect - ICT

Updating our knowledge infoDev-sponsored project January – June 2007 Literature review 6 Country studies Donor review Knowledge map & framework paper Consultation Recommendations

Priority topic areas Enabling environment Evaluation Partnerships Sustainability Scalability Appropriate technologies and local innovation

1. Enabling environment State of knowledge base – Top: Harmonising policy with regulation –Top – Bottom exchange –Bottom: Literacy, connectivity, affordability Success stories –Chile Universal Access Policy Work required –Fostering productive partnerships –Knowledge base on local energy and infrastructure options

2. Evaluation State of knowledge base –Good evaluations lacking despite wealth of pilots Exceptions –UNESCO, ICCD, Reflect-ICT Work needed –Further action research on using livelihoods M&E approaches on ICT-enabled projects –More academic studies of ICT impact

3. Partnerships State of knowledge base –Some partnership models better understood than others Success stories –Infrastructure (local govt & private sector) –Content (government to private telecenter) Work required –More work on adaptation of successful models –Private sector participation

4. Sustainability State of knowledge base –8 pillars stand up well –Partnerships and intermediaries key –Local ownership Success stories –Micro ICT enterprises, cooperatives Work required –Cross-sectoral sustainability

5. Scalability State of knowledge base –Local context often key to programme success –Principles and approaches transferable Success stories –IFAD’s First Mile (blending) –UNESCO CMCs. (local ownership & involvement) Work required –More case studies

5. Local innovation and appropriate technology State of knowledge base –Blending important, internet overplayed –Innovation spurred by capacity and culture Success stories –Radio & TV –Mobile Work required –Exchange on appropriate technologies –Applications of mobile

Outputs & ongoing consultation