DiploFoundation – Phasing-out 2023 - 2025

While the transformation was underway before COVID-19, the pandemic significantly accelerated it around the world. Seizing the opportunities of the accelerating digital transformation, while better managing the associated and growing risks, challenges and disruptions requires a strong evidence base, leadership by public administrations, and extensive international co-operation and global engagement.

Whereas demand for digital co-operation increases, ODA budgets are under pressure to respond to other development challenges accentuated by inequalities, conflict and climate change.

In its latest Development co-operation report “Shaping a just digital transformation”, the OECD urges official development actors to leverage their resources and relationships to maximize impact for digital investment and help LDCs/LMCs “shape the global standards they are expected to meet”.

Using the existing ecosystem, coordinating the efforts of development actors (UN, IOs, Donors, NGOs), the private sectors, Swiss academies and technical experts, will hopefully help better identifying the flourishing initiatives and making digital financing fit for purpose.

The contribution will enable Diplo to contribute to more coordinated efforts between development actors, the private sector, Swiss academies and technical experts to maximize impact for digital investment in order to solve challenges in LDCs/LMCs.

The phasing out should also allow Diplo to consolidate its sustainability by diversifying the sources of funding.

Diplomats, development cooperation specialists and other officials from developing countries as well as others relevant stakeholders from developing countries (such as the technical community, academia, media representatives, youth future leaders, NGO representatives).

Staff of SDC will be supported and strengthened in its strategic positioning and partnerships with regard to digitalisation for development 

1. Supporting SDC in designing a “digitalisation for development ecosystem” reflecting the ecosystem’s purpose, its actors and other essential elements;

2. Supporting SDC in its strategic positioning of digitalisation for development with analysis and insights;

3. DiploFoundation’s profile and organisational structure are strengthened and funding is diversified.

Expected results:  

1. Mapping of the Digital SDC/FDFA digital-for-development ecosystem with concept note & action plan to build partnerships for greater impact.
2. Periodical and just in time watches (4/year) about key issues, trends/discussions in the field digital-for-development, to enable SDC staff for strategic positioning and to engage effectively in the debates.
3. Diplo’s sustainability is consolidated by diversifying the sources of funding.

Results from previous phases:  

1.      46 online/blended courses (incl. Cybersecurity diplomacy & Science diplomacy)

2.      New courses (launched end of 2022): Science diplomacy for sustainable development / Nexus: breaking the silos between humanitarian, development & peace activities.

3.      Indepth analysis of the UN Roadmap for
digital cooperation

4.      New fundings from the Ford Foundation (2020-2024)