NGO access to ICTs can mean access to improved livelihoods for the poor

In a nutshell...

• Cordaid and IICD have signed an agreement to become strategic enabling partners, bringing together southern NGOnetworks and ICTs to improve local livelihoods
• The partnership stems from the recognition that non-profit groups in developing countries can make use of ICTs to improve the quality of their services delivery and hence the impact on the poor.
• The strategic partnership will:
  - Support local NGO networks in their identifying, formulating and implementing of ICT-supported activities in the areas of Access to Markets and Health Care; and
  - Stimulate awareness regarding the development potential of applied ICTs in the Cordaid network of developing country partner organisations.

The partnership

Cordaid and IICD formally met at the start of 2001, and realised an immediate common strategic interest. That was and is, to assist African entrepreneurs and SMEs to access markets opportunities and consequently, access additional possibilities for improved livelihoods. ‘Access to Markets’ is a sector of prime importance to Cordaid’s new business plan for 2003-2006. And for IICD’s local partner network, e-business and access to market information has been a very prominent theme. An alliance began to evolve.

But this proposed alliance did not stop at improving market access. It quickly became clear to Cordaid and IICD that another common priority theme could be addressed by a partnership. This theme is health care. A broader partnership evolved into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that has been signed on May 23, 2002. Though the signing follows a year of talks, the time has been used wisely and each organisation has a very clear idea of the joint work programme.

The MoU reflects a strategic enabling partnership in which IICD and Cordaid agree to a joint programme of activities. The objectives of this programme are:

1. Southern NGO networks will be supported in their efforts to integrate ICTs in their development programmes and projects, thus enabling them to strengthen the reach and effectiveness of their development activities, giving priority to Cordaid local networks in the context of this agreement;
2. Local knowledge on ICTs and other relevant topics will be to the greatest extent possible, tapped and used to benefit the activities with the work of the NGOs; and
3. Each organisation’s expertise, partner networks and financial and staff resources will be matched and targeted to realising the introduction of ICTs in development cooperation.

A strategic alliance

What is the joint work programme outlined in the MoU? It is focused on Cordaid and IICD working together to facilitate ICT-supported development among Cordaid’s NGO networks. In terms of actual activities, the following will be happening:

• A Country Programme in Ghana, with start-up being a Roundtable workshop on livelihood opportunities through Access to Markets;
• A Country Programme in Bolivia, with start-up being a Roundtable workshop on livelihood opportunities through Access to Markets; and
• A Country Programme in 2003 in an Eastern/Southern African country with the emphasis being on health care.

Together with Memisa, Mensen in Nood (Caritas Netherlands) and Vastenaktie (Dutch Bishops’ Lenten Campaign), Cordaid forms one of the biggest international development organisations. Cordaid is working with more than thousand partners worldwide for an existence with dignity for poor people and those who are deprived of their rights. The organisation is involved in all aspects of development co-operation: emergency aid, structural poverty alleviation and health care.

In June 2002, IICD and Cordaid will kick start the joint work programme by working together in the Bolivia Country Programme. The Ghana Country Programme will follow.

More

If you have any questions on the Cordaid-IICD partnership or if you are interested in more information on how to partner with IICD, please contact IICD’s Team Leader, Corporate Services & Partnerships at partnering@iicd.org. Be sure to visit the websites of Cordaid (www.Cordaid.nl) and IICD (www.iicd.org) to learn more about each organisation and its activities in the field of ICTs for Development.