Hivos and IICD extend partnership

The cooperation between Hivos and the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD), which started in 1999, has been extended until the year 2010. The partnership includes a total amount of 1.8 million Euro for the next four years.

The combined activities of Hivos (www.hivos.nl) and IICD (www.iicd.org) will mainly focus on two countries, namely Ecuador and Uganda. The programme in Uganda is aimed towards developing and implementing an e-society model in which local non-governmental organisations and local governments are able to cooperate with one another more efficiently. The programme in Ecuador is aimed at enhancing and increasing the use of ICT among the local partners of Hivos and IICD.

An important element in the cooperation between IICD and Hivos are the South-South Exchanges, which are intended to increase the transfer of knowledge among partners in the South. Other shared projects are fundraising activities and activities which are meant to raise awareness about ICT and development among the Dutch population. One of these activities is the annual event Fill the Gap, which is organised in cooperation with OneWorld.

IICD is a Dutch independent not-for-profit organisation specialised in ICT for development. In conjunction with partners from the public, private and not-for-profit sector, IICD is active in Africa, Latin-America and the Caribbean - creating and enhancing development opportunities in education, good governance, livelihoods, health and the environment. The approach includes linking local, national and international organisations as well as formulating and implementing ICT-supported development policies and projects.

Hivos, a Dutch development organisation, seeks to contribute to a free, fair and sustainable world in which citizens - women and men - have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development. Hivos works closely together with more than 800 partners in the South. Hivos believes that access to information and knowledge can enhance the position of marginalised people around the world.