Telecenter Networks form by bringing in Telecenters owned by individual entities from a diverse geography communities. The common thread bind them is similar issues, shared future vision and nereaed benefit from the network.Network managers do not have a strong hold on the control of the network members who act independent. One example is getting them all of them to attend a workshop, provide performance data in a standard format.
It could be done creating a sense of ownership as a practice to ensure that the network developped has adequate representation, local ownership and wide inclusion including representation in the governence.
It is important that each member of the network made aware of What would be the give and takes for the members and for the networks.
Telecenter Networks are aimed to self sustain. Nenasala in Sri Lanka has government support, ICTA provides initial equipment and training, connectivity, M & E. Private sector and Non profits involved in support, capacity building and M & E. With in the large 577 member network has key geographic groups and socio-economic groups like TCF acnd Shilpa, and E3 Nenasala Network in Uva. Some Members join multiple networks.
Role of Nenasala Network management is shared by diffent process for connectivity, Evaluation, communication at ICTA level and in the field by M & E Regional Impact Team.
It is the M & E process that bring Telecenter Members together to create an enabling environment for learning, networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
In order to self sustain the network the members need to involve in management process of the network. ICT appointing District ICT Ambassadors at Nenasala convention is an example.
Telecenter Networks that aimed to self sustain may be initiated through funding, yet need to create revenue from its members. Formation of TCF in Sri Lanka is an example.
Social Networking and inter member relationships are an inessential human aspect of a telecenter network, which usually exsist in district and provincial as well as cross networks with similar interests. Uva Nenasala community, Shilpa Sayura, EVS group, Denuma Group are some examples.
Developing a Telecenter Network for sustainability requires a framework that will create a new social model , learning from the findings and improving the process.
E3 is a research framework design to create a Telecenter Sustainability Network based on research carried out by Shilpa Sayura Project and Nenasala community. Like Shilpa Sayura we want to make E3 a Global Example for Telecenter Network Sustainability.
Project E 3 aims a social innovation in Telecenter Network sustainability creating a new sustainability model for sustaining Telecenters through learning enterprunership and leadership built on the key underlining principa;s of ICT4D, K4D and MGDs.
To be continued
Niranjan Meegammana
http://www.shilpasayura.org
http://telecenter.ning.com
