Fighting rural poverty: The role of ICTs
 

 

Arabic version (PDF) | English version (PDF) | French version (PDF) | Spanish version (PDF)

FIDAMERICA

FIDAMERICA is a network linking 40 IFAD-funded projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Launched in 1995, the network is a pioneer in terms of exchange of information and dissemination of lessons
learned.

FIDAMERICA provides a range of services and activities that link use of the Internet with opportunities for face-to-face exchanges. These include:

  • Internet-based facilities and systems, such as a website, monthly electronic newsletters, electronic mail lists and electronic conferencing facilities
  • electronic conferences on important poverty alleviation and rural development topics, with the active participation of representatives from farmers’ and rural organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, local governments, national governments and donor agencies
  • biannual regional workshops to discuss and exchange experience, innovations, knowledge, approaches,
    methodologies and tools for eradicating poverty
  • technical assistance to projects so that they are better able to use the Internet
  • technical, methodological and logistical support to new networks of rural grass-roots organizations working with IFAD projects
  • cofinancing of demand-driven projects to develop and strengthen learning systems and processes within and among IFAD projects

Networking Approach

FIDAMERICA’s networking approach is based on:

  • sharing of ideas, issues and experience
  • validation, systematization and exchange of knowledge and information
  • analysis of impact and lessons learned
  • documentation and dissemination of results and lesson learned, using appropriate communication channels for target audiences
  • testing and applying innovations

Achievements

Now in its third phase (2002-2005), FIDAMERICA has built on the achievements and lessons learned of its earlier phases. Key achievements of the network to date include:

  • e-networking infrastructure set up and skills developed
  • basic communication established among projects and partners
  • relationships among network participants established
  • access provided to moderated, up-to-date and focused web-based information
  • opportunities provided for network members to post information and experiences on the web site
  • opportunities provided to network members for interactive information exchanges and on-line discussions
  • opportunities for action-learning by network participants

Current Focus

In Phase 3, which will continue until 2005, FIDAMERICA is working to:

  • provide support to IFAD-funded projects in the design and organization of their communication, learning and knowledge management systems and processes
  • facilitate communication among and between members and other stakeholders, share lessons learned in their development activities and draw conclusions and recommendations that are valid across projects and organizations
  • facilitate access to poverty eradication information, knowledge, approaches and methodologies
  • facilitate the development of a regional network of community-based rural organizations
  • improve the participation in the network of NGOs, rural organizations, private-sector stakeholders, local and national governments, and bilateral/multilateral agencies

FIDAMERICA is funded by IFAD through a technical assistance grant to the International Farming Systems
Research Methodology Network (RIMISP) in Santiago, Chile, which is responsible for the general coordination of the network. Participation in the network’s activities is open to all private and public organizations that share FIDAMERICA’s objectives.

Arabic version (PDF) | English version (PDF) | French version (PDF) | Spanish version (PDF)

ENRAP | FIDAfrique

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