Livelihoods

"Livelihood comprises people, their capabilities and their means of living, including food, income and assets. Tangible assets are resources and stores, and intangible assets are claims and access."
(Chambers and Conway, 1991)

Livelihoods projects explore the potential of ICTs to provide business opportunities and to improve individual economic standards. Livelihood projects in rural areas often focus on agriculture where urban projects are more likely to focus on eBusiness.

eBusiness

ICTs provide specific opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They can enable them to boost productivity, tap into international markets, and offer better service to their customers.

The drastic fall in ICT prices in the past 10 years has put some tools, such as computers, printers and associated software, within reach for SMEs in the South. With a simple website it is possible to sell unique products in Northern markets. ICTs also offer a number of different ways to provide a more professional level of service and build and maintain relationships with customers. This can increase their competitive advantage and open up markets previously closed to them.

Agriculture

Farmers who understand market trends and market opportunities are better empowered to make the right choices. They need to know what to grow, when to grow, when and where to sell and at what price. Also having access to information which determines the context within which they operate, such as relevant government policies, has a large influence on their day-to-day labor and fruits of their labor. Besides this, having access to improved knowledge of appropriate technologies can be particularly useful.

In most developing countries, women make up the majority of the population working in agriculture. The knowledge of rural women is a valuable resource and driver of local livelihoods. Women have specific information and communication needs. The creation and exchange of local and locally relevant content by rural women themselves or customized to their needs (in local languages for example) can have a large effect on rural livelihoods.