Connect Rural Knowledge Venture

Recently, the Communication for Development Group, in collaboration with the WAICENT Outreach unit, developed a proposal for the Connect Rural Knowledge Venture. The proposal was prepared with VITA-Connect, an NGO in the United Sates that provides low-cost, satellite communications for remote rural areas, and with the WorldSpace Foundation. The Foundation transmits the Africa Learning Channel via digital satellite radio technology. The "Connect Rural Knowledge Venture" is intended to increase access to appropriate and practical information by farm families, rural enterprises and producer groups. It builds local capacity in information production and outreach and adds value to existing networks, projects and communication initiatives.

In December 2001, the proposal was presented to representatives of various donor agencies at the World Bank facilities in Washington D.C. A promising opportunity to implement the Connect Rural Knowledge Venture may be with the Agence Intergouvernementale de la Francophonie in Niger. Also, there are plans to pursue the Venture further with USAID and Winrock International, both of whom expressed interest when the proposal was presented in Washington. More information on the Venture can be obtained from the executive summary and PowerPoint presentation.

Click here to see the Executive summary or here to see the PowerPoint presentation.