Background Information on Bellanet

Bellanet is the organization committed for promoting collaboration amongst international development community via effective use of Information Communication and Technology (ICT). With some years of development experiences, it realized need of more focus on southern parts for ensuring sustainable development. This felt need of focus on southern organizations was the main reason behind establishment of regional presence.

The main objective of the Regional presence is to make local organizations capable for dealing with regional issues more effectively by using ICT as the tool. Therefore, local organizations are used as strategic partner in the process. It will help these organizations to promote their capability in the areas of ICT so that they can provide Bellanet like services in future by themselves. The use of local partners also ensures development of programs on the base of their needs and development perspectives.

Strategic Partnership with SAP-Nepal

Bellanet experienced satisfactory result of strategic partnership with Acceso in Costa Rica for establishing its regional presence in Latin America and the Caribbean. It encouraged the organization to explore probable organizations for fostering the relationship and joint efforts of development in context of Asia. After deep analysis SAP-Nepal was selected to work as the strategic partner for initiating regional presence in Asia (south and south east Asia). The memorandum of understanding between two organizations were signed on August 8,2003.

In order to make regional presence a success, Ms. Shikha Shrestha, a staff member of SAP-Nepal was seconded to Bellanet. She will lead and coordinate program activities in the region from her posting in Kathmandu during the pilot phase of this cooperation. Shikha Shrestha has more than 5 years development experience with SAP-Nepal. Working in the organization helped her to get acquainted with development issues of the country. She had also dedicated her time and effort for organizing and empowering grass root community to influence policies. During the empowerment process she has also facilitated training programs related to gender, advocacy, linkage and networking. She has also produced and disseminated development information to partner organizations in Nepali.

Major areas of interventions

Bellanet is the process-oriented organization. It believes that the process and approach should not be restricted as per the plan. There should be constant review and sharing of learning. Then the future steps should be modified as per the demand. However, some of the planned strategies and activities are:

Strategies
1. Work with key partners to design and implement joint KS and ICT4D programs in the region
2. Support inclusive participation of women, dalit, ethnic groups especially in online networks
3. Improve communication, coordination and knowledge sharing between Bellanet offices
4. Maximize learning by institutionalising collective reflection processes??

Some of the major probable areas of activities are:
• Strengthen relationship and capacity of southern partners on Online Community building
• Promote knowledge sharing among Development Community in Asia
• Explore partner organizations to work in area of Open Development

Major thirst of Bellanet South would be increasing cooperation in development community in Asia.