Incorporating the Use of ICTs into Oxfam’s Markets-based Livelihoods Programmes: A guidance paper

 

This Guidance Paper considers ways of incorporating ICTs into markets-based livelihoods programmes. It suggests ways to identify and then use the opportunities offered by ICTs particularly in agriculture. These can include information services, value chain linkages, and financial services. The paper presents a pragmatic and strategic approach that minimises time and cost requirements while maximising sustainability and influencing potential of these types of intervention.

It provides a series of practical steps to determine the kind of intervention that is needed, draws on lessons learned, looks at existing services, covers principles for success, and advises on how to avoid potential failures. Practical examples are given from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda.