Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment Toolkit
Methodological guide supporting the identification of development opportunities and risks within a country's digital ecosystem
Description
The Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) Toolkit is a methodological guide supporting the identification of development opportunities and risks in a country’s digital ecosystem, thus aiding in the development, design and implementation of USAID’s strategies, projects and activities. The toolkit was developed to serve as a guide for further country researches and was compiled based on lessons learned during four pilot assessments conducted between winter 2019 and autumn 2020 in partnership with the USAID Missions in Colombia, Kenya, Nepal and Serbia. The assessments were carried out over 5 months in three phases: desk research and planning, interviews, and data analysis and report writing, and covered three main topics: 1) Digital Infrastructure and Adoption, 2) Digital Society, Rights and Governance, and 3) Digital Economy
Technology
DECA is based on three pillars: Pillar 1 relates to Digital Infrastructure and Adoption, and such emerging technologies as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of things (IoT), drones, robotics and blockchain; Pillar 2 addresses the issue of Digital Society, Rights and Governance, and such technologies as e-commerce; and Pillar 3 covers the “Digital Economy” with particular focus on mobile applications.
Target
DECA supports USAID and its partner governments and donors, as well as the private sector and civil society organizations, in decision-making processes related to digital programming and investments. DECA assessments have to date been carried out in Europe and Central Asia, specifically in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Impact
The DECA Toolkit offers insights into a country's digital ecosystem, thus supporting informed decision-making related to digital programming and investments, and fostering more targeted and effective initiatives through the leveraging of digital technologies for development. By providing a shared understanding of the digital landscape, DECA seeks to promote collaborations and greater coordination among stakeholders, thus maximizing the impact of digital development interventions. DECA can contribute to the design and implementation of more sustainable initiatives by identifying development opportunities and risks
Four Betters
Better production
Better life
