Initiated by the Belgian Development cooperation (DGD), the Digital for Development platform was first launched in September 2017. Coordinated by Agoria and Close the Gap, it focuses on bringing together all actors of development by creating and facilitating an eco-system for all stakeholders, existing projects and opportunities using digital in development cooperation.

After two years of igniting partnerhips, the Digital for Development project is extended for another three years. To officially kick off this renewal of the programme, all close partners gathered at DGD, the Belgian Development Cooperation on 6th June for a kick-off meeting.

After a welcome speech by a representative from DGD, the attendants were presented with the achievements of the Digital for Development project from 2017 until now. D4D had many inspiring milestones, such as the kick-off in November 2017, the Silicon Savannah Mission to Kenya in March 2018 and the Silicon Lagoon Mission to Nigeria in March 2019. 

Apart from the past achievements, the future plans were also presented. Among others, there will be another mission in March 2020, either to Rwanda and Uganda and the online platform (kindling.be) aims to extend to stakeholders in other European and also African countries. 

A new element of Digital for Development will be a series of tech workshops for NGOs. The topics will be on for example blockchain, Internet of Things, mobile applications, virtual reality, big data, and artificial intelligence. These coaching sessions are an alternative pragmatic methodology that brings together NGOs or non-profits with a panel of digital technology experts and let them brainstorm on inspiring digital journeys and possible applications for the NGOs to use digital technologies to generate more impact.

For more information about Digital for Development, click here.

Thanks to all of the D4D partner organisations: