THE REAL ACCESS REAL IMPACT FRAMEWORK FOR ICT

THE REAL ACCESS = REAL IMPACT FRAMEWORK FOR ICT IN DEVELOPMENT Developed by: bridges. org For the Multimedia Training Kit, ICT policy training Copyright (2004) bridges. org, licensed under a [Attribution-Non. Commercial-No. Derivs, 2. 0] Creative Commons License

Learning outcomes By the end of this session, learners should: • Understand the basic concept of "Real Access = Real Impact" and the framework; • Have formed their own ideas about best practice in the field of ICT and development; • Be able to apply the RA/RI framework in their work; and • Be able to apply it in other areas where ICT is used for development. Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Learning methods • Not a lecture • Participatory, interactive, question-based approach to learning • Small group exercise • Learners draw on life and work experience to discuss/highlight issues Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Roadmap to this workshop • • Introduction (5 min) What is Real Access = Real Impact? (20 min) The Real Access criteria (65 min) The 8 Habits of Highly Effective ICT-Enabled Initiatives (25 min) • Applying the RA/RI framework (65 min) Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Introducing the issues • The problems of the digital divide • ICT and development • Does everyone agree that ICT is a key enabler of socio-economic development? • Has ICT succeeded in improving development? If not, why not? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

What is Real Access/Real Impact? • In order for technology to have a Real Impact on people’s lives, people must have Real Access to it • Holistic, integrated strategy for the analysis, measurement, and implementation of initiatives on all levels, from the ground to high-level policy deliberations • Helps initiatives plan effectively and take concrete steps for implementing ICT as part of what they do, highlights the strengths of ICT projects and policies, and provides direction for future improvements Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Two methodologies • The Real Access criteria are used to frame the analysis of all issues surrounding ICT access and use, including the "soft" aspects that are often overlooked • The 8 Habits of Highly Effective ICT-Enabled Development Initiatives look at the application of best practice in ICT project management Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Critical obstacles to ICT projects and policies • What are the main issues and/or key obstacles and/or critical factors that affect the success of ICT projects and policies? • What are the main issues and/or key obstacles and/or critical factors that affect the failure of ICT projects and policies? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

The Real Access criteria • 12 criteria that look at the substantive factors that affect ICT projects and policies • Using brainstorming and real-life examples, please consider: – The general idea of each criterion – What is needed for each to be achieved in practice Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

The 12 Real Access criteria 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Physical access to technology Appropriateness of technology Affordability of technology and technology use Human capacity and training Locally relevant content, applications, and services Integration into daily routines Socio-cultural factors Trust in technology Local economic environment Macro-economic environment Legal and regulatory framework Political will and public support Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Physical access to technology • Is technology available and physically accessible to people and organisations? • What factors affect the physical access to technology in the context of this project/policy? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that technology is available and physically accessible to people and organisations? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Appropriateness of technology • Is the technology appropriate to the local needs and conditions of the community? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that technology is appropriate to local needs and conditions of the community? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Affordability of ICT and ICT use • Are the technologies and ICT services affordable for local people to obtain, access and/or use? • What does "affordable" mean in the context of the community or target group? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that technologies and technology use are affordable for local people and organisations? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Human capacity and training • Do people have the skills necessary to use ICT effectively? • Can they envision other uses for the technology in their lives or work? • What training is available? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that people and organisations get the training they need to use technology effectively? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Locally relevant content • Are there locally relevant content, applications, and services that people and organisations can access and use through ICT? • Are they available in local languages? • What is "locally relevant" in the context of the communities or target groups affected by the ICT project/policy? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Integration into daily lives • Is technology use an additional burden to the lives and work of people and organisations already burdened by daily tasks, or is it integrated into their daily routines? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that technology use is integrated into daily routines and does not become an additional burden to people's lives and work? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Socio-cultural factors • Are people limited in their use of technology because of their gender, race, disability, age, or other socio -cultural factors? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that people and organisations are not limited in their technology use due to gender, race, disability, age, or other socio-cultural factors? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Trust in technology • Do people and organisations have confidence in technology use? • Do they understand issues like privacy, security, or cybercrime in the context of technology use? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that people and organisations have confidence in technology use? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Local economic environment • What impact will ICT use have on the local economy? • Can the local economic environment sustain the technology use envisioned in the ICT project/policy? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that the local economic environment can sustain long-term technology use? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Macro-economic environment • How do policy issues like deregulation, taxation, trade, investment, or labour affect the use of technology envisioned in the ICT project/policy? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that the macroeconomic environment is favourable to technology use? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Legal and regulatory framework • Do the country's laws and regulations affect the use of technology? • How do legal and regulatory issues affect the use of technology envisioned in the ICT project/policy? • What can the ICT project/policy do to help ensure that laws and regulations promote, and do not inhibit, technology use? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Political will and public support • Do people understand the links between local technology use and the government's overall political strategies to promote ICT for development? • What can the project/policy do to help ensure that the general public supports technology use? • What can the project/policy do to help ensure that the government has the political will to drive needed change? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Best practice for ICT project management • What are the key practices that every ICT initiative should undertake (in terms of project administration or management) to ensure success? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

8 Habits of Highly Effective ICTEnabled Development Initiatives • A set of guidelines for project management, which aim to ensure the internal health of initiatives harnessing ICT for development • Using brainstorming and real-life examples, please consider: – The general idea of each Habit – What is needed for each to be achieved in practice Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

8 Habits of Highly Effective ICTEnabled Development Initiatives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Do some homework, conduct a needs assessment Implement and disseminate best practice Ensure ownership, get local buy-in, find a champion Set concrete goals and take small achievable steps Critically evaluate efforts, report back, and adapt as needed Address key external challenges Make it sustainable Involve groups that are traditionally excluded Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Using the RA/RI framework • How could the Real Access criteria be used in ICT projects or policy initiatives? • How could the 8 Habits be used in ICT projects or policy initiatives? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Applying the RA/RI framework • Bridges. org has used the framework in four key areas: – Project planning – Evaluation – Technology research – Policy-making processes • Other ideas? Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training

Exercise: Applying the Real Access framework • An opportunity to think about how Real Access can promote Real Impact in the context of your work • Four groups: (1) ICT development project, (2) different kind of ICT development project, (3) ICT policy-making process, and (4) ICT research project • Identify a project or policy initiative in which you are involved and apply the questions in the worksheet like an evaluation • Discuss the evaluation, prepare a brief case study, and report back to the whole group Real Access / Real Impact Framework, bridges. org MMTK, ICT policy training