Rural e-services
Inclusive design methodology in ICT for development.
Many rural areas in developing countries have social groups which exist for the benefit of their members. Examples of these are so-called Cooperatives and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which pool the resources of their members, for example using them to provide small loans to members (“microfinance”).
By what process can these groups, in collaboration with researchers from the developed world, develop their capacity to design and use ICTs (Information and Communications Technologies) to enhance and extend the services that they offer?
This project aims
- to develop a methodology of collaboration between northern and southern researchers and stakeholders;
- to implement a specific ICT project arising from the collaborative process;
- to develop new sustainable business models for ICT supported cooperatives; and
- to share experience gained from the project as widely as possible, for the benefit of future development projects.
The first aim is to develop a methodology that:
- involves participants from the developing countries fully
- meets their real needs
- improves their ability to use ICTs
- improves their ability to innovate
The second aim is the development of a specific ICT project, in collaboration with rural Cooperatives and Self Help Groups in India.
The development of this ICT project will not only provide a case study in which to develop our reusable methodology for north-south collaboration, but will also result in a deployed ICT system which genuinely addresses its users needs. Particular emphasis will be placed on the economic sustainability of the system, enabling it to be scaled-up through its adoption by further groups of a similar nature.
The specific nature of the ICT system will arise from the collaborative development process, however we envisage that appropriate use of ICT could, for example, allow Cooperatives or SHGs to provide services to people in neighbouring villages, or to provide additional services beyond straightforward microfinance, through the use of mobile ICT terminals providing converged delivery of multiple services.