Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development (TISD)

Social enterprises have emerged and are recognized as key actors in addressing many of the complex issues of the world. Social enterprises focus on creating benefits to society as a whole, rather than generating wealth for the owners of the enterprises. As drivers of positive social change, social enterprises support causes around poverty alleviation, equality, education, health, clean water, sanitation, the environment, and sustainable development, among others.

Central to social enterprise practice is innovation. Defined as introducing new ideas to products, services, processes, markets or systems, innovations are often viewed as the development of impactful, sustainable solutions to pre-existing challenges and problems in society. And in recent years, the social enterprise sector has paid increasing attention to the intersections between technological innovations and sustainable development.

When the platform was initially presented during the 3rd Social Enterprise and Leveraging (SEAL) Asia Conference co-convened by the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA) with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission in Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in 2020, it featured technological and frugal innovations towards adoption and diffusion among social enterprises and other stakeholders in Asia.

In 2022, through the interest of the Association of Progressive Communications (APC) as a co-convener, building and strengthening community networks as social enterprises and creating and enabling ecosystem for such became the focus of the platform. ISEA and APC jointly organized a series of learning sessions on community networks: (1) Models of Community Networks: Bridging the Digital Divide and Enabling Last Mile Connectivity; (2) Community Networks: Issues, Challenges and Prospects; and (3) Bridging the Gap: Addressing Policy, Regulation and Governance of Community Networks. Resulting from these learning sessions, ISEA partners from Bangladesh, China and the Philippines expressed interest to pursue community networks linked to social enterprise and local economic development.

In 2023, Multi-Stakeholder Platform on Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development (TISD) was formally launched at the 4th SEAL Asia Conference at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand. This was accredited as a pre-event to the 10th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in 2023.

The TISD Multi-Stakeholder Platform seeks to gather social entrepreneurs, social enterprise resource institutions and other stakeholders who are interested in community networks and complementary connectivity initiatives. The platform aims to achieve four objectives:

  • To facilitate learning and exchange of experiences and best practices of community networks and complementary connectivity initiatives;
  • To facilitate cooperation among community networks, complementary connectivity initiatives, social enterprises and other key stakeholders, so that they can project their collective impact in harnessing and mobilizing technological innovations to achieve the SDGs;
  • To facilitate cooperation among community networks, complementary connectivity initiatives, social enterprises and other key stakeholders, so that they can collectively develop and advocate changes in government policies and programs which would encourage and support the community networks, complementary connectivity initiatives and technological innovations;
  • To facilitate cooperation among community networks, complementary connectivity initiatives, social enterprises and other key stakeholders, so that they can collectively attract and generate resources and support from the business sector, national agencies and intergovernmental agencies for the adoption and diffusion of technological innovations in the social enterprise ecosystem.

The TISD Multi-Stakeholder Platform was envisioned to concretize collaboration in the following areas:

  1. Building a learning community among social enterprises, community networks, resource institutions and other stakeholders to share experiences and best practices and to evolve models and benchmarks on the practice and advocacy of community networks for sustainable development.
  2. Harnessing and projecting the collective impact of community networks in the region, in the process promoting models of community networks and complementary connectivity initiatives linked to social enterprise and local economic development towards building back fairer and contributing to the acceleration of the SDGs.
  3. Developing and advocating changes in government policies and programs so that community networks and complementary connectivity initiatives linked to social enterprise and local economic development may be better supported towards mainstreaming them as solutions to bridge the digital divide.
  4. Generating resources and support from the business sector, national agencies and intergovernmental bodies so that community networks and complementary connectivity initiatives linked to social enterprise and local economic development can be supported towards scaling up, sustainability and mainstreaming.




ISEA and APC holds an online briefing on Konektadong Pinoy Bill


ISEA visits the MBCN Project Site in China

In the last week of September, the ISEA Team visited the social enterprises that are implementing the Model Building of Community Networks (MBCN) linked to Social Enterprise and Local Economic Development (MBCN) pilot initiative in China in partnership with Sources for Action (SFA) China supported by APNIC Foundation as part of ISIF Asia 2022.


TI4SD Platform conducts a 2-day learning session on exploring Value Added Services of Community Networks

Organizing learning sessions focused on key topics related to Community-Centered Connectivity Initiatives seeks to foster an environment where stakeholders can exchange insights, learn collaboratively, and contribute to building knowledge and networks.

ISEA hosts the Asia Regional Coordination for Policy and Regulation, Capacity Building, and Gender of the Local Network (LocNet) Initiatives. LocNet is a collective effort led by APC and Rhizomatica in partnership with people and organizations in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It aims to directly support community networks and other community-centered connectivity initiatives, while contributing to an enabling ecosystem for their emergence and growth.

This initiative explores how connectivity initiatives can be embedded into social enterprise ecosystems to bring about meaningful connectivity, addressing issues of social impact and financial sustainability. This is undertaken in partnership with social enterprises serving different poverty sectors to connect the unconnected and bridge the digital divide.

This study captures the various models of four CCCI cases coming from Indonesia, India, Kenya, and South Africa. These case studies use social entrepreneurship concepts and tools to explore the multifaceted impact of the initiatives in bringing meaningful connectivity to marginalized communities.

Inspired by the mapping initiatives done in Africa and Latin America, the Mapping of CCCIs in Asia seeks to recognize existing connectivity initiatives across the region, document the different models and approaches of these initiatives, and understand their challenges. Insights from this project would be helpful in developing and improving policy advocacy for furthering the CCCIs in the region.

Learning Session on Model building of Community Networks linked to SE and Local Economic Development [September 30, 2024]

The digital divide remains a significant challenge in many parts of Asia, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Community-centered connectivity initiatives (CCCIs) have emerged as a promising solution to bridge this gap, but sustainability remains a key concern. This learning session presented evolving and innovative models that link CCCIs with social enterprises and local economic development initiatives, potentially offering a pathway to sustainable digital inclusion.

This event was made possible by the Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development Platform, co-organized by the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF) Asia, APNIC Foundation, Foundation for Architecture and Community Equity (Bangladesh), Philippine Coffee Alliance, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and Sources for Action (China).

Briefing on Konektadong Pinoy Bill (August 16, 2024)

Konektadong Pinoy, also known as the Open Access in Data Transmission Act (Senate Bill 2699), introduces regulatory frameworks and streamlines processes for new internet service providers to enter the digital infrastructure market. Since 2016, various organizations have already expressed their strong support to the bill including government agencies, civil society organizations, academe, among others. 


Journey towards Meaningful Connectivity: Exploring Value Added Services of Community Networks [August 16-17, 2023]

In this two-day learning session, we delve into the experiences and transformative potential of value-added services in community networks. Community networks are grassroots initiatives that bring internet connectivity to underserved areas, fostering digital inclusion and empowering local communities. It will also highlight the value-added services that community networks offer beyond mere internet access, unlocking new opportunities and enhancing the lives of individuals and communities. Through real-life case studies and expert insights, we will explore the diverse range of services that community networks have successfully implemented, driving economic, educational, social, and cultural development.

These online events are organized by the Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development, a multi-stakeholder platform around social entrepreneurship and sustainable development goals led by the Association of Progressive Communications (APC) and the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA).

APrIGF Forum Session on “Sustainability of Complementary Connectivity Initiatives” [August 29, 2023]

“Community Networks: Complementary Solutions, Innovations and Partnerships to Bridge the Digital Divide” [March 30, 2023]

This is a side event at the 10th #APFSD showcasing community networks and the important role of partnerships and policy in enabling these innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide.


Session 2: Seeding and Enabling Community Networks towards Bridging the Digital Divide during the 4th SEAL Asia Conference 2023 [March 2023]

This plenary includes the Launch of the Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development Platform co-convened by the Association for Progressive Communications, Angels of Impact and ISEA; also the MOA Signing Ceremony between the Association for Progressive Communications and Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia

Community Networks Learning Session Series [March to April, 2022]

Community Networks are technological innovations that seek to bridge digital and societal divisions such as gender, class, and caste, which are especially true in rural areas. By increasing connectivity in both digital and social aspects, it hopes create jobs and entrepreneurship and contribute to economic growth.

The Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development, a multi-stakeholder platform around social entrepreneurship and sustainable development goals led by the Association of Progressive Communications (APC) and the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA) organized a learning session series focusing on Community Networks.

#APFSD2021 Side Event: “SE-SDG Platforms: Towards Building Back Fairer in Asia and the Pacific” [March 25, 2021]


Social Entrepreneurship-SDG Platforms: Towards Building Back Fairer in Asia and the Pacific [November 28, 2020]


SEAL Asia 2020 Conference Day 2 – Plenary VI [September 2020]

Promoting Cross-Sectoral Collaboration Supportive of the Platforms: Co-creating Financing Mechanisms and Mobilizing Resources for Assisting the Recovery of Social Enterprises towards Leaving No One Behind in Building Back Better

Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA)
www.isea-group.net
Regional
Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
https://www.apc.org
Regional
Angels of Impact
www.angelsofimpact.com
Regional
Dr. Albert Teo
Dean, Tung Wah College (ISEA Regional Council Member)
Hong Kong

Want to join the Technological Innovations for Social Development (TISD) Platform?

Scan the QR Code or go to this link and download the Registration Form:

https://tinyurl.com/SE-SDG-PlatformREGFORM

Send your registration at secretariat@isea-group.net

The Launch of the Technological Innovations for Sustainable Development Platform co-convened by the Association for Progressive Communications, Angels of Impact and ISEA happened last March 2023. The MOA Signing Ceremony between the Association for Progressive Communications and Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia followed after the launch.

Here’s the presentation of the TISD Platform presented by Dr Albert Teo during the APFSD2021 Side Event titled, “SE-SDG Platforms: Towards Building Back Fairer in Asia and the Pacific”


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