I4D – Innovation for Development

  
A short introduction

In almost all development technology plays a central role. But technology must be embedded in local circumstances to be effective, even if ‘proven technology’ is used. This indicates that technological innovation is crucial for development. Technological innovation, it has to be stressed here, combines technical research and adaptation with social and institutional adaptation and change: adapting to local values and priorities, developing standards, rules and controls, organising markets for supply and maintenance and building infrastructure, to name but a few examples.

Technology contributes to development most, if innovation takes place in and under the (legal) control of developing countries themselves, instead of through technology transfer from the now highly industrialised countries and Northern transnational corporations (TNCs). Thus technological innovation globalises, not only due to the dominance of transnational corporations, but also due to new regional co-operation in and between developing countries.

This also changes the role of Northern research institutes, corporations and NGOs. The centre of gravity in the field of research and innovation moves to the South. Development funding by Northern donors changes - though slowly - from project funding, under direct control of parties in the North, to program and budget finance with more emphasis on local ownership in the South. Moreover the direct relation that existed between donor funding to projects in the South and engagement of expertise from the same donor country weakens. Still Northern research institutes, companies and NGOs might continue to play a valuable role as consultant and ‘expertise broker’.

This changing role asks for good communication and co-operation between the technological innovation community (universities, business) and the development community (NGOs, ministries). 

The I4D-network aims to contribute to this communication and cooperation.

In the I4D-network Oikos cooperates with TvO-TU/e (working group on Technology for Development of the Eindhoven University of Technology), representatives of Delft University of technology, Otherwise (Wageningen University), Ingenieurs zonder Grenzen (KIVI NIRIA, the Dutch association of engineers) and others.