Ongoing since May 2007

To address the problem of information and communication technology (ICT) access for the economically poor, the World Bank Information for Development Program (infoDev), commissioned a knowledge map to synthesise what is already known about these issues, and to identify the most urgent priorities for further research. The knowledge map builds on and updates existing research, adds new evidence and experience from the field, maps the current state of knowledge in this area, and recommends a way forward both in the international community's framing of these issues and in urgent priorities for further research and experimentation. The knowledge map is designed to address the priority knowledge needs of policymakers, donors, and other key stakeholders.

The map builds on the Information and Communications for Rural Livelihoods (ICD4RL) project which was completed a few years ago by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in cooperation with the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Bank (WB). That work identified eight principles for successful ICD4RL:

1. Adapting Content to Local Context;
2. Building on Existing Systems and Working with Existing Policies;
3. Addressing Diversity;
4. Building Capacity;
5. Ensuring Equitable Access and Empowerment;
6. Building Partnership Networks;
7. Adopting Realistic Approaches to Technology; and
8. Information Costs.

The contents currently include:

• Resources
• References
• Executive Summary
• Introductory Sections
• Interim Outputs
• Topic Pages
• Recommendations
• Application Areas
• Country Snapshots
• Case Studies
• Bibliographies and Other Sources

ICT Update, Issue 49, June 2009.