Background and Geographic spread

Reaching out to communities requires innovative and creative channels, coupled with a firm commitment to address the critical challenges that plague the underserved in rural as well as urban areas. Knowledge centres has been tried and tested in various parts of India and the world and various projects have tested the applicability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to the solution of worrisome problems of development. Various research studies by NASSCOM Foundation supported the idea that access point like telecenters are effective outreach channels in the community.

Keeping in mind the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), stories of various telcentres developing around the world, and the possibilities of bringing in IT’s companies socially revenant products, process and services, the NASSCOM Knowledge Network was conceptualized and operationalised in 2005 to develop synergies for various stakeholders to come together for national building and be the catalyst to make the under-served and under-privileged productive participants in the country’s progress.

The first initiative by NASSCOM Foundation was to corroborate how cost-effective technology-based interventions could support social initiatives and stimulate economic growth. It thus partnered with UNDP in Orissa to revitalize the knowledge centres set-up after the Orissa Super Cyclone. After the learning experience in Orissa, NASSCOM Foundation decided to set up its own initiative, one that is community-based, but which would answer questions of availability and affordability of relevant content, as well as have a concrete road map to financial, social and institutional stability.

The first NKN program began in August 2005 with the identification of implementation and resource partners. Initiated in 2005, today the NASSCOM Knowledge Network (NKN) program is a flagship programme with dynamic network of telecenters or knowledge centres across India.