infoDev (Information for Development program) is a special program of the World Bank and many other international development agencies focusing on how the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help to combat poverty and promote opportunity, empowerment and economic growth in developing countries, a field of activity often referred to as 'ICT for Development', or ICT4D for short.
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The program, which began in 1996, has funded grants for hundreds of small pilot projects in a variety of sectors (health, education, connectivity, sustainable development, agriculture, small business, e-government) in over 50 developing countries that have used ICTs in innovative ways.
infoDev also funded a series of notable and influential country e-readiness assessments and supported Y2K preparedness activities in many developing countries. It supports a network of business incubators in 45 countries to better understand the constraints and challenges facing entrepreneurs in developing countries who seek to start IT or IT related businesses. The program hosted prominent side events and symposia at both stages of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
Beginning in 2004, the program changed to become more of a 'think tank' on ICT4D issues. It has research and training programs related to telecom access and regulation issues; innovation and entrepreneurship; and how ICTs are used in sectors like education, health and rural development, with a special emphasis on how ICTs can be 'mainstreamed' in development projects to support the Millennium Development Goals.