eBrain Forum of Zambia

1. Introduction

The Regional ICT Support Programme (RICTSP) is financed by the 9^th European Development Fund (EDF) and implemented by COMESA as Regional Authorizing Officer (RAO).

The RICTSP Overall Objective is to contribute to the Eastern and Southern Africa regional integration agenda through an effective and efficient Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) environment, with the purpose of achieving a reduction in the “digital divide” by removing some of the constraints to the efficient use of ICT.

2. Objective

A workshop was organized by COMESA Secretariat with the key objective to enable member countries NGOs to develop successful ICT incubator project proposals for funding by EU through COMESA.

3. Participants

The following countries were represented at the workshop:

1. Zambia (2x participants)
2. Burundi(4x participants)
3. Malawi (3x participants)
4. Democratic Republic of Congo (4x participants)
5. Zimbabwe (4x participants)

4. Workshop deliberations

The facilitators were consultants from Tanzania Dare-slam University who were contracted by COMESA. It was a hands-on approach from ICT Project idea to develop the proposal and post implementation issues to ensure sustainability of ICT Incubator project.

The following are some of the sub topics that were covered;

• ICT incubation
• Incubator Project Elements (goal, purpose, outputs and activities)
• Developing Logical Framework for ICT projects
• Developing Sustainability Strategies
• Developing a Work Plan
• Project Budget
• Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Participants were grouped according to Country of origin and each country was requested to come up with a project idea and develop a project through a project proposal developed by COMESA/EU. The consultants assisted the groups in writing the actual proposal and later each country presented the completed project and delegates reviewed it through comments and submissions. The Zambian group managed to complete the project and made submissions.

5. Summary

The workshop was an eye opener in terms of requirements in writing ICT project proposals and enhanced my competence in developing ICT project proposals and through interaction with other participants from COMESA region knowledge sharing was increased.

6. Recommendation

It is very vital to initiate ICT project proposal in light of reduced funding from IICD to identified cooperating partners. A half day workshop (proposed date of 24^th December, 2008) shall be organized for the Secretariat staff to be trained by the undersigned and also to go through the process of applying for the COMESA Tender due on 12^th January, 2009.

Milner Makuni

National Secretary