Conclusion

The HIVOS-IICD Strategic Partnership has been materialized into an operational Programme that has largely met the objectives articulated in the 2003-2006 MoU. The Partnership has helped to establish a new IICD Country Programme in Ecuador and to re-establish one in Zambia. The Information Networks have been set up and are active in national ICT policy. The Capacity Development dimension has effectively planned and delivered ICT skills training, while the IICD M&E methodology was fully applied, with a variety of surveys conducted and focus-group discussions.

Among the main drawbacks identified in the evaluation are

• uneven project performance and problems in terms of efficiency (with some delays in project formulation, activities, and provision of funds)
• insufficient knowledge sharing by the Information Networks for projects and project partners
• lack of measurement of project indicators to more objectively assess project performance and impact
• significant more room for joint substantive collaboration, proper of a strategic partnership.

Partnerships such as the one defined by the HIVOS-IICD 2003-2006 MoU have strategic value for technical cooperation in the early phases of the Information Society. The integration of ICT in development actors of all types, particularly among civil society organizations, is essential for better access to information, increased communication and the generation of knowledge.

Both organizations have formed over time extensive development networks, and display open attitudes towards knowledge sharing. The future of technical cooperation is of a ‘network cooperation’ type, which is being constructed on a learn-as-you-go basis. Thus, it is worth to closely examine the reference provided by this Partnership.

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