1. 1 Achievements of the UNDP Internet Support Project Isatou Secka-Jah National Coordinator

2. 2 background b 3 year $100, 000 launched by the UNDP Banjul Office in 1998 b Set up in parallel to The Gambia’s Internet Initiative b the Monitoring and backstopping of The Gambia’s IIA b activities were coordinated through a nationally recruited professional

3. 3 Objectives b b Practical Approach establish connectivity of identified national institutions to the Internet build capacity of connected national institutions on the use and maintenance of Internet services advocate the beneficial use of the Internet nationally

4. 4 Objectives assess the universal access requirements of The Gambia and the viability of the project ensure the sustainability of The Gambia's Internet Initiative

5. 5 Achievements b Connectivity identification of key national institutionsidentification of key national institutions dialup and leased connectivitydialup and leased connectivity acquisition of small equipment, modem/computersacquisition of small equipment, modem/computers negotiated costs for leased connectivity for educational Institutions/NGOsnegotiated costs for leased connectivity for educational Institutions/NGOs

6. 6 Achievements b Training Awareness SeminarsAwareness Seminars –Overview of Internet Applications, Internet Needs Assessment, Content Development WorkshopsWorkshops –Internet Basics & Effective Use –Managing Internet Services

7. 7 Beneficiaries - Connectivity/Training b Education Rural Development Institute, Gambia College, GTTI, MDI, University of The Gambia, NARI b Media Gambia Press Union, National Library, Broadcasting Project b Health Royal Victoria Hospital, Bansang Hospital, b NGOs Tango, Action-Aid

8. 8 Beneficiaries - Connectivity/Training b Government Institutions DOSWCI, DOSY& S, PMO, DOS T & I, Vice President’s Office b Other Institutions National Assembly, National Youth Council, NYSS, Women’s Bureau, SPACO, Functional Literacy Project, Chamber of Commerce

9. 9 Advocacy b Presentations at forums NYC Divisional Forums, APSO Conference, Science Clinic for GirlsNYC Divisional Forums, APSO Conference, Science Clinic for Girls b Internet Awareness Week country wide Schools Tour, TV Documentaries, Radio Shows,country wide Schools Tour, TV Documentaries, Radio Shows, b Annual Newsletter captures local Internet News & technological development around worldcaptures local Internet News & technological development around world

10. 10 Technical Backstopping b Technical support of Gateway & Backbone maintenance/troubleshooting/upgradingmaintenance/troubleshooting/upgrading b Web Presence UN AgenciesUN Agencies other local institutionsother local institutions

11. 11 Achievements b Sustainability/Handing Over Activities formation of Internet Society Gambia Chapterformation of Internet Society Gambia Chapter –represents the local internet community –partnership/speak with one voice to address issues of common concern –ensure continuity –taken over annual Internet Awareness Week/ Internet Newsletter

12. 12 b Sustainability/Handing Over Activities evaluation of universal access requirements –identifying grey areas, sustaining costs, maintaining networks, improving access penetration, keeping up with technological advancement

13. 13 Best Practices b Pooling of local expertise setting of NTRCsetting of NTRC b involvement of beneficiaries from start b identifying and focusing on special interest groups b cost sharing recurrent costsrecurrent costs phasing out of assistancephasing out of assistance b involvement of decision-makers

14. 14 Constraints b Lack of basic Infrastructure - computers, electricity etc b lack of technical know-how high illiteracy, povertyhigh illiteracy, poverty b small budget b high reccurent costs both for Service Providers/Usersboth for Service Providers/Users

15. 15 Follow-up activities b Development of local content local information databaselocal information database expose gambian businesses using e- commerceexpose gambian businesses using e- commerce b development of technical capacity help higher level institutions (Univ of Gambia) to develop and build capacityhelp higher level institutions (Univ of Gambia) to develop and build capacity setting up of specialized local academies e.g ciscosetting up of specialized local academies e.g cisco

16. 16 Follow-up activities b ICT in schools build ICT infrastructurebuild ICT infrastructure introduce ICT curricularintroduce ICT curricular build E-School network - facilitate distance learning build E-School network - facilitate distance learning b Development of a comprehensive ICT policy and action-plan