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Technologies for Conservation and Development in Southern Africa (t4cd)
Description
The t4cd project aims to adapt and deploy information and communications technologies (ICTs) in conservation areas in order to enhance conservation and development initiatives.
Objectives
This project aims to identify, introduce, adapt and report on mobile phones and their integration with other Information and Communication Technologies in support of conservation and sustainable development in Southern Africa . The project aims to bridge business and biodiversity by enabling corporations, government bodies and civil society to work together for direct conservation gains and indirect conservation benefits through improved rural socio-economic resources and engagement with ecotourism initiatives.
Activities
Some of the specific project activities were identified after action research carried out in the Lowveld region of South Africa , around the Kruger National Park . The specific interventions identified at this stage include the following:
- Capacity building for ResourceAfrica, to become
'ICT ready'
- Technical support and capacity building for communities engaged in conservation and sustainable development initiatives, in the project locations.
- Identification, adaptation, testing, introduction and monitoring / evaluation of ICT applications in conservation and community development initiatives.
- Technical support and capacity building to biodiversity conservation agencies in the project locations.
- Strategic partnership development with a view to creating a community development fund.
- Policy analysis, advocacy, knowledge management and information dissemination
Outcomes
- Networking and partnership building
- Project fundraising with corporate sector and others
- Getting the RA project team ICT ready (hardware, software, training)
- Identifying and commissioning ICT expert(s) to assess practical application of the project in field locations
- The Action Research Workshop in May 2004 aimed to identify stakeholder needs and the candidate ICT interventions.
- Computer training in Bushbuckridge
- T4CD Symposium, 14 -15 February 2005, in Johannesburg , which showcased
the different uses of ICTs in the field, in both conservation
and development.
- ICT in Conservation Resource, showcased at symposium, to be finalised and distributed in CD format, and later to be incorporated into a website.
- SMS communities in KNP giving KNP officials capability to send messages to neighbouring communities, about problem causing animals, community awareness about different occurrences in the area, and the like. The communities are being further deployed and upgraded.
- Report titled 'Mobile Phones: An Appropriate Tool for
Conservation and Development?'
Location
The t4cd is a Global project with pilot projects Bushbuckridge in South Africa , Limpopo National Park and the Niassa Reserve in Mozambique . These two locations are part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which transcends three countries ( South Africa , Mozambique and Zimbabwe ).
Duration
2004 - 2007
Wildlive!
Wildlive! has developed content that has been rolled out as part of Vodafone Live!, Vodafone’s third generation (3G) service for mobile phones. The service, which provides content including animal sound ringtones and conservation games for mobile phones, has been rolled out in five countries in Europe .
T4CD is exploring ways of deploying a similar service in the newly-launched 3G networks in Africa , primarily in South Africa , and is partnering with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
Lessons learnt
- The rapid changes in technology offer new opportunities, as well as new challenges. In many cases, the tried-and-true technologies, as opposed to simply cutting edge technologies, prove much more useful, especially in an African context.
- Community support through technological interventions need thorough planning, research and follow up for them to be effectively used.
- Technology changes culture and behaviour in individuals and communities. This needs to be taken into consideration when planning and implementing projects.
Partners
Fauna & Flora International, Vodafone Group Foundation, Vodacom Foundation, WK Kellogg Foundation
Contact Details
info@resourceafrica.org
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