ICT and Rural Livelihoods

Paul MatthewsOverseas 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

ICT and the livelihoods framework

Mapping ICT to livelihood assets 1

Capital Asset Potential 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 Asset Potential 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 knowledgeinfoDev-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

Outputs & ongoing consultation

http://www.ict4rl.infohttp://www.livelihoods.org

p.matthews@odi.org.uk