DOEN means DO in English, and we are getting it done together in Jamaica

• The Stichting DOEN ('Do' Foundation) is supporting the Caribbeat Music Production and Marketing Company.
• Caribbeat stemmed from an ICT Roundtable Process on Livelihood Opportunities held in Kingston in July 1998.
• Caribbeat's objectives are to:

- Represent Jamaican and Caribbean artists in the production and marketing of their musical goods and services;
- Assist local artists by strengthening the Caribbean network of production, distribution and promotion capabilities using mixed media like Internet e-commerce and satellite radio;
- Enhance local and regional socio-economic development by improving the competitiveness of local artists and producers in the global marketplace.

The partnership

In July 2000, Stichting DOEN and IICD got together to look at if and how DOEN could become actively involved in ICTs for development. DOEN was for the first time exploring the possibilities offered by ICTs for economic change and it had been referred to IICD among other organisations, as the place to go for expertise in the field. Out of this preliminary meeting arose an enthusiasm for the possibilities of working together in support of demand-driven approaches.

It has rapidly become clear that working together on this project is an acknowledgement of the possibilities of ICT and of joining forces with IICD.

DOEN's financial resources contribution to Caribbeat is a concrete activity on which our two organisations can partner to the benefit of our local Jamaican partner. Caribbeat will use the funds to develop a radio broadcasting system via Internet and to expand e-commerce facilities. Both activities are expected to broaden Caribbeat market share and commercial reach.

The availability of capital for small-scale businesses in developing countries is minimal. The funds freed-up by Stichting DOEN in the case of Caribbeat, will cover this shortage and enable Caribbeat to realise its project goals. IICD is investing its role as knowledge broker and project advisory services during formulation and implementation, next to a monitoring and evaluation function.

Both IICD and Stichting DOEN would like to look at this enabling partnership as the first concrete activity in a possibly expanding relationship.

More

For more information about this partnership, please direct your queries to IICD's Partnerships Manager at partnering@iicd.org. Be sure to visit the websites of Stichting DOEN (www.DOEN.org) and IICD (www.iicd.org) to learn more about each organisation and its activities in the field of ICTs for Development. And you can find out more about Caribbeat's activities and services at: wwww.caribbeat.com.jm