Our Network

Providing support to ICT in developing countries is a broad subject, requiring extensive knowledge of ICT and development related issues. The activities range from development of infrastructure to training of manpower, implementation of information systems and development of organizational management structures. One institution, company or agency cannot cover the full spectrum. That is why Spider was created as a multi-stakeholder network consisting of a web of institutions, organizations, companies and individuals committed to promoting ICT for development by sharing resources and utilizing synergies.

The overall objective of Spider as the center of the network is to act as a competence broker; matching the right person/institution (i.e. academia, public and private sector, civil society and individuals) for the job or project at hand. In its role towards the different stakeholders, Spider offers ICT expertise, resources, international networking opportunities, collaboration possibilities, experience from developing cooperation projects, expertise about developing cooperation, information and education within the area of ICT4D. It is the aim of Spider to utilize the resources in our network and include our partner universities, the private sector and civil society at and early stage in our projects.

There are a number of organisations around the world with objectives similar to that of Spider. What makes Spider different is its Network of stakeholders from different sectors of society, who are committed to decreasing the digital divide between the developing and developed countries. The success of Spider compared to other peer organizations will primarily depend on a combination of what we do and how we do it. The how aspect of working in a collaborative manner with the academia as well as the private sector may give Spider an edge over other peer organizations.