What is ICT Innovation in International Development Programs?
ICT innovation in international development programs is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for better healthcare, education, and agriculture programs in low- and middle-income countries.
Technology innovations in international development and humanitarian aid projects can also lead to better governance, stronger economic growth, and more inclusive employment. These activities can promote community resilience and accelerate social advancement.
An Example of ICT Innovation in Development
There are as many technology solutions as there are development problems. For example, a farming community could be threatened by climate change challenges, like variable weather patterns and changing temperatures.
Farmers could need tailored weather information, new agricultural methodologies, access to different inputs, and greater linkages to value chains and markets. They could seek out technology enabled solutions like:
- Geographic information systems that relay precise micro-weather predictions for their specific location.
- Agricultural extension agents with farm-specific soil analysis for detailed seed and fertilizer usage.
- Digital financial services to borrow, sell, profit, and save their farm income with formal banks and informal crop buyers.
More Examples of ICT Innovation in Development
Here are more examples of innovative uses of information and communication technology in humanitarian relief programs and international development projects:
USAID Development Innovation Ventures program (DIV) provides grant funding based on a tiered-evidence approach that maximizes impact per dollar spent. DIV recently...
Published on: Mar 30 2023 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Digital Innovation is Not Free. We Need Low-Tech Options Now
The past few months saw a lot of buzz around emerging digital technologies. There wasn’t a week going by without news of AI-enabled tools that create sophisticated...
“Innovation” has become a hugely popular word in the humanitarian and development sectors over the last 10 or 15 years. And amongst NGOs, UN agencies, and bilateral...
UNDP created the Chief Digital Office in 2019 and observed hundreds of digital projects and challenges faced by UNDP, governments, and partners. From this experience,...
Published on: Feb 17 2022 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 5 Things Humanitarian Innovators Can Learn From the Private Sector
While simplified stories of success from the private sector are often unhelpful for humanitarian innovators, there are things that we can learn from entrepreneurial...
Published on: Jul 16 2021 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Harnessing the Power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The impact of new tech shouldn’t be disappointing, but it often is. Dr. Hans Rosling complained during the Ebola response that there were “hundreds of health-care...
A majority of failed startup companies associate poor execution, limited funding, and market access as the primary drivers of most innovative ideas. The founders...
We are all familiar with the concept of reinventing the flat tire in digital development. That’s when we repackage a known failure as new innovation, usually...
Disinformation and propaganda pose a threat to trust, cohesion, and security. The menace of fake news can no longer be ignored. Misinformation can divide society,...
Published on: Dec 02 2020 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on New USAID Global Health Innovation Index Ranking Framework
Global health is a priority for USAID as the Agency works to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies. Our global health programs are focused...
