ICT Concept Note

The following Concept Note was drafted in response to the events set in motion by the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander de Croo and Ministers/State Secretaries from 14 other EU MS who forwarded a request to Commissioner Mimica and High Representative Vice President Mogherini, proposing that the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission prepare a staff working document (SWD) on the impact of digitalisation on development.

The note broadly assesses the current situation and provides an overview of the impact and opportunities that digitalisation offers. It is a first step towards reaching a common understanding between the EU and EU MS of the definition of digital development and associated strategies. In addition to identifying the current role of ICT within the EU external actions framework, including the importance of having a harmonised framework at the EU level, it also looks at how some individual Member States include ICT within their development cooperation frameworks. It is intended that this note may serve to guide the strategic direction of the EU's work on digital development within development cooperation.