This paper summarizes the findings from a research project conducted by ITDG and Cranfield School of Management (Bedford, UK) into using ICTs (like the Internet or mobile telephony) to share information with people at grassroots level – ‘connecting the first mile’. Across the world, development agencies are piloting projects to use ICTs to provide people with improved access to up-to-date information, equip them with new skills, or connect them to an international market. Evidence suggests that many of these projects are not succeeding. Connecting the First Mile outlines the challenges involved in sharing information with people who have little experience of ICTs, low levels of literacy, little time or money, and very specific knowledge and language requirements. It provides a best practice framework that embraces many applications of ICT (eg for agriculture, e-governance etc) and many technologies, and it includes suggestions for further research.

Author Biography

Surmaya Talyarkhan is the Knowledge Sharing Adviser at ITDG, specializing in the field of information communication technologies for development and knowledge sharing. Dr David J. Grimshaw is the International Team Leader of the ‘Responding to New Technologies Programme’ at ITDG, and Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Management in Bedford. His areas of expertise are: in information systems strategy, usability, knowledge management, ICTs for development, and geographical information systems. Lucky Lowe is a professional manager with 20 years experience working in the UK construction and international human settlements sectors. More recently she worked on knowledge sharing issues as ITDG’s Knowledge and Information Services Unit Manager.

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