Practical Insights on Principles for Digital Development

9 Principles for Digital Development in ICT4D

The principles for digital development are a set of guidelines that aim to ensure that digital technologies are used in a way that is effective, sustainable, and inclusive. The principles were developed to promote the responsible use of digital technologies to advance development goals. The principles are as follows:

  1. Design With the User
    User-centered design starts with getting to know the people you are designing for through conversation, observation and co-creation.
  2. Understand the Existing Ecosystem
    Well-designed initiatives and digital tools consider the particular structures and needs that exist in each country, region and community.
  3. Design for Scale
    Achieving scale requires adoption beyond an initiatives pilot population and often necessitates securing funding or partners that take the initiative to new communities or regions.
  4. Build for Sustainability
    Building sustainable programs, platforms and digital tools is essential to maintain user and stakeholder support, as well as to maximize long-term impact.
  5. Be Data Driven
    When an initiative is data driven, quality information is available to the right people when they need it, and they are using those data to take action.
  6. Use Open Standards, Open Data, Open Source, and Open Innovation
    An open approach to digital development can help to increase collaboration in the digital development community and avoid duplicating work that has already been done.
  7. Reuse and Improve
    Reusing and improving is about taking the work of the global development community further than any organization or program can do alone.
  8. Address Privacy & Security
    Addressing privacy and security in digital development involves careful consideration of which data are collected and how data are acquired, used, stored and shared.
  9. Be Collaborative
    Being collaborative means sharing information, insights, strategies and resources across projects, organizations and sectors, leading to increased efficiency and impact.
Introducing the Updated Principles for Digital Development

Introducing the Updated Principles for Digital Development

Published on: May 08 2024 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Since their inception in 2014, the Principles for Digital Development have been endorsed by over 300 organizations globally – including donors, multilateral...
Please Help Update the Digital Principles for the Next Decade

Please Help Update the Digital Principles for the Next Decade

Published on: Jan 25 2024 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
The Principles for Digital Development are relevant and valuable guidelines for the increasingly expansive ecosystem of digital development actors. The Principles...
Please RSVP Now: How to Update the Digital Principles for Another Decade?

Please RSVP Now: How to Update the Digital Principles for Another Decade?

Published on: Oct 16 2023 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Please RSVP Now: How to Update the Digital Principles for Another Decade?
The Principles for Digital Development turn 10 years old next year, offering a great opportunity to reflect on their legacy and consider light updates to the Principles...
Is It Finally Time to Retire Sustainability in ICT4D?

Is It Finally Time to Retire Sustainability in ICT4D?

Published on: May 06 2021 by Josh Woodard - 30 Comments
Talk – and debate – of the term “sustainability” in ICT4D is nothing new. The theme has been discussed on ICTworks for more than a decade....
Three Early Digital Health COVID-19 Response Success Stories

Three Early Digital Health COVID-19 Response Success Stories

Published on: Mar 25 2020 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Three Early Digital Health COVID-19 Response Success Stories
Coronavirus infection rates are climbing exponentially around the world with over 440,000 confirmed cases and 20,000 deaths so far. Governments, donors, and health...
The Digital Principles are Rooted in Collaboration and Primed for Growth

The Digital Principles are Rooted in Collaboration and Primed for Growth

Published on: Feb 13 2020 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on The Digital Principles are Rooted in Collaboration and Primed for Growth
The Principles for Digital Development are one of the most successful examples of collaboration and partnership in our industry. Created for development practitioners,...
3 Data Types Every ICT4D Organization Needs – Your Weekend Long Reads

3 Data Types Every ICT4D Organization Needs – Your Weekend Long Reads

Published on: Mar 10 2018 by Steve Vosloo - Comments Off on 3 Data Types Every ICT4D Organization Needs – Your Weekend Long Reads
After five years researching the effectiveness of non-profit organizations (NPOs) in the USA, Stanford University lecturer Kathleen Kelly Janus found that while...
Every Big Data Algorithm Needs a Data Storyteller and Data Activist – Your Weekend Long Reads

Every Big Data Algorithm Needs a Data Storyteller and Data Activist – Your Weekend Long Reads

Published on: Mar 03 2018 by Steve Vosloo - 2 Comments
The use of big data by public institutions is increasingly shaping peoples’ lives. In the USA, algorithms influence the criminal justice system through risk...
In ICT4D We’re Principled, But Are We Practiced Enough? – Your Weekend Long Reads

In ICT4D We’re Principled, But Are We Practiced Enough? – Your Weekend Long Reads

Published on: Feb 17 2018 by Steve Vosloo - 2 Comments
Starting with the Principles for Digital Development, we now have principles for many development sectors,and principles for cross-cutting themes, including principles...
We Need a Culture of Evidence-Informed Action in Technology for Social Change

We Need a Culture of Evidence-Informed Action in Technology for Social Change

Published on: Nov 20 2017 by Guest Writer - 4 Comments
As a profession, the technology for social change field is at least a decade old. We can and should be working to professionalize, setting standards and improving...
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