Android and Smart devices are rapidly shifting the ICT4D landscape in developing countries. They influence the entire software development eco-system, while improving the potential development impact.
Latest research carried out by eNovation4D, in collaboration with Sarvodaya-Fusion has developed a unique eco-system map, that illustrates the actors / stakeholders involved in this emerging eco-system. And also it has provided new insights into the motivational factors of individual app developers who have become the critical contributors to this new emerging trend.
Lessons were contributed to the IER 2012 (Information Economy Report) of UNCTAD that features Software industry developments in global environment, to be launched in 28th Nov, 2012.
Thursday 15 November 2012
Saturday 15 September 2012
Android - SmartPhones + Social media for Bottom of the Pyramid
Can smart devices be introduced as community owned shared devices?
How would different age groups respond to smart phones?
How would they trigger rural community participation with social media?
Can they scale up the rural micro-enterprises?
A ground breaking SmartVillage project of Sarvodaya-Fusion has started providing encouraging answers to these questions. Started in early 2011, project has pilot tested introducing Android SmartPhones to seven rural communities in Sri Lanka. Among the highlights:
How would different age groups respond to smart phones?
How would they trigger rural community participation with social media?
Can they scale up the rural micro-enterprises?
A ground breaking SmartVillage project of Sarvodaya-Fusion has started providing encouraging answers to these questions. Started in early 2011, project has pilot tested introducing Android SmartPhones to seven rural communities in Sri Lanka. Among the highlights:
- Verity of shared ownership models are emerging, among them random ownership by youth circles stands out.
- Android apps are being picked up by school children to supplement their educational activities
- Youth circles started using Local language Blogging as a new mode of expression of their views
- Facebook pages generated via Smartphones could scale up micro-enterprises, that have been starving to connect with up-markets.
For more details of the project - visit the SmartVillage blog.
SmartVillage project is implimented by Sarvodaya-Fusion with sponsorship from Tag-ID, UK and Google.
eNovation4D provides expert contributions in the areas of social media and social innovation.
Saturday 10 March 2012
Innovation for sustainability (Telecentres and mobile phones 4D)
Date - 11 Dec, 2011 (a chilly bright wintry day)
Venue - University of Cambridge
I was excited and honored to be invited to the Cambridge Hub. And that provided the platform to present our working hypothesis:
Innovation for Sustainable Development = Product + Social Impact + Community Acceptance
We (together with Sarvodaya-Fusion team) have spent a substantial time period to define this hypothesis. Reflecting from Fusion experience, the journey had started with the burning desire to become independent of philanthropic donor funding. As noted with many charities in the world, continuous over dependence on donor funding distracts the activist from core social mission, hence challenge the sustainability of the development engagement.
Fusion Education: ICT education service offered via rural telecentres has been the Social innovation of this effort. 'When 100s of rural students started to sign up for Fusion Education via over 50 rural telecentres, thank god we have reached the community acceptance': that is how Fusion team reflect on it.
Yet, how do you know you are making the right kind of Social impact? The Social impact assessment framework helped to answer the question. Presentation has captured the evidence of this journey, and the subsequent efforts to replicate the lessons in mobile for development sector.
Venue - University of Cambridge
I was excited and honored to be invited to the Cambridge Hub. And that provided the platform to present our working hypothesis:
Innovation for Sustainable Development = Product + Social Impact + Community Acceptance
We (together with Sarvodaya-Fusion team) have spent a substantial time period to define this hypothesis. Reflecting from Fusion experience, the journey had started with the burning desire to become independent of philanthropic donor funding. As noted with many charities in the world, continuous over dependence on donor funding distracts the activist from core social mission, hence challenge the sustainability of the development engagement.
Fusion Education: ICT education service offered via rural telecentres has been the Social innovation of this effort. 'When 100s of rural students started to sign up for Fusion Education via over 50 rural telecentres, thank god we have reached the community acceptance': that is how Fusion team reflect on it.
Yet, how do you know you are making the right kind of Social impact? The Social impact assessment framework helped to answer the question. Presentation has captured the evidence of this journey, and the subsequent efforts to replicate the lessons in mobile for development sector.
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Who?
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- Harsha Liyanage, Principal Consultant
- We are consultants for European organisations working in international development. Specialized in Innovation - Economic Sustainability - Social Impact Assessment in ICT4D and Mobile for Development (M4D) sectors. We have 20 + years of experiences and our clients include UN Agencies, EU, IDRC.