Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the mission of a Country Gateway?
- What are the specific development goals of Country Gateways?
- What is the short and long-term operating plan for each Country Gateway?
- How are Country Gateways managed?
- What role do governments play?
- Do Country Gateways offer anything for the private sector?
- What kinds of partnerships are possible with the Country Gateways?
- How can my organization support the work of a Country Gateway?
- Do Country Gateways work together? Across regions?
- What is the link between Country Gateways and the World Bank?
What is the mission of a Country Gateway?
The mission of each Country Gateway is in line with that of Development Gateway but at the country level: to reduce poverty and enable change through partnerships and the use of information and communications technology (ICT). Country Gateways provide web-based tools and services to help government agencies, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations and individuals share knowledge, build partnerships and work together for effective development results.
What are the specific development goals of Country Gateways?
Country Gateways focus on the use and promotion of ICT for effective aid and development. Specific development goals include but are not limited to:
- Helping improve the efficiency and transparency of the public sector through e-government
- Promoting national exports, foreign investment, small business, technology development and tourism
- Facilitating competition through more transparent and efficient marketplaces and lower transaction costs for business owners
- Providing a platform for citizens and organizations to share development knowledge, solutions and opportunities
- Facilitating national dialogue, partnerships and a shared vision for development among a broad range of stakeholders
- Reducing the potential for corruption through increased transparency and improved accountability, inclusiveness, and efficiency of the development process
- Raising public awareness and sensitizing decision makers in all sectors to the potential of e-development
- Contributing to understanding the impact of ICT on development
- Contributing to improving country connectivity, access and the overall use of ICT
Development Gateway’s vision for all Country Gateways is that they should be self-sustaining local leaders in ICT for development. This should include a special focus on e-government, e-learning and/or e-business, including a strong knowledge-sharing component. Within this concept, each Country Gateway develops its own plan, in consultation with Development Gateway. New Country Gateway’s start by establishing an Internet portal to disseminate information that is important for development and other country-level issues. As they gain technological sophistication, Country Gateways provide other online and offline services, and help Development Gateway promote its other programs such as dgMarket. To gain financial independence from the donor community, many Country Gateways have started providing fee-based services such as IT consulting, software development, website design, hosting and implementation, project management, and e-procurement activities.
How are Country Gateways managed?
Country Gateways are independent entities that are locally owned and operated. Most of them are partnerships among a variety of development stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofits, civil society organizations and private companies. Ownership, legal structure and governance are determined by stakeholders, in consultation with Development Gateway. What role do governments play?
Some level of government support is required of all Country Gateways because this greatly facilitates their success, through promotion, partnership and/or financial assistance. Governments are also long-term beneficiaries. In some countries, the Country Gateway has become an advising agency for national and local governments on the design and implementing ICT for development strategies. In many cases, Country Gateways play an active role in the government’s investment promotion work. The government may also use the Country Gateway Web site to disseminate information and for e-government initiatives that increase efficiency and transparency in the public sector.
Do Country Gateways offer anything for the private sector?
Yes. Many Country Gateways directly serve the private sector by providing information on local business organizations, business regulation, import-export, small business e-commerce sites, government tender opportunities (through Development Gateway’s dgMarket platform) and more. Several Country Gateways include private sector companies as partners, and most Country Gateways would welcome financial support from the private sector, either via Development Gateway or directly. What kinds of partnerships are possible with the Country Gateways?
Country Gateways offer their expertise and energy to many initiatives related to their mission – from IT training for teachers to the creation of web portals to serve a specific community such as local artisans, legislators or women’s groups. If your organization is looking for an ICT partner, check our list of Country Gateways to learn more and to contact the Country Gateways in your area of interest. How can my organization support the work of a Country Gateway?
You can support Country Gateways in several ways:
- Donate funds to Development Gateway’s Country Gateway Support program to ensure that we can continue providing technical, strategic and grant assistance.
- Donate funds directly to a Country Gateway of your choice.
- Provide direct in-kind assistance, such as technology, consulting, services, equipment or staff.
- Assist in providing or reviewing development-related content on Country Gateway Web sites.
Yes, and this is one of the benefits of the Country Gateway network. Development Gateway and the Country Gateways collaborate formally and informally to share ideas, technology and best practices. The Uzbekistan Country Gateway established the Central Asian Gateway Web site in collaboration with others in the region, and funded in part by a grant from UNDP. In Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, plans are also underway to create regional gateway Web sites to facilitate regional collaboration on development issues. What is the link between Country Gateways and the World Bank?
Many Country Gateways have a close and fruitful relationship with the World Bank because they were created before Development Gateway was spun off from the World Bank. Like Development Gateway itself, all Country Gateways are now fully independent. The World Bank remains a valued and important partner, but they, and Development Gateway, work with many organizations.
Go to Country Gateway site