Program design and partnership model

The NASSCOM Knowledge Centre (NKC) is a physical space, with 3-5 computers, connectivity, content and co-ordinators. The multimedia content available at the centres is used to deliver training and services to the communities. The overall NKN program was based on a community-based model designed so as to put the needs of the community that the knowledge centre serves first, and is therefore implemented using a bottom-up, non-prescriptive approach.

The current Existing models of implementation though which the NKN centres operates are as follows-

Community based

In this model, the centres are based in the community donated space and in most cases the centre is run and managed by persons selected from the community. These centres provide information, knowledge, training and basic services to local communities at a subsidized cost.

Institution/Organization based:

In this model, the centre is based out of space owned by the implementing organization or the NGO or has been provided by some institution/organisation free of cost. This follows a community-cum–entrepreneurship model with some priced and some free services. The centre coordinator/manager is employed by the NGO.

School based:

In this model, the centre is based out of schools and concentrates on computer based education for school children. The centre is also open after school hours for the community to access the various training opportunities and information and knowledge services. School centres are run by NGOs.

Entrepreneur based:

In this model, the centre is owned by an entrepreneur. Here the centre space is either owned or rented by the entrepreneur and the centre is run by the entrepreneur. Most services are priced but at a level that is affordable by the community. In some cases in this model the centre complements the business activity of the entrepreneur.

Partnership Model

As a program, NKN brings together donors, content providers and implementing agencies, and enables grassroots organizations to set up and run telecentres/knowledge centres across the country. The telecentres function as learning centres, resource centres, community services centres for the local communities in rural and urban areas, providing access to much needed services in education, training, livelihood information, health information.

NASSCOM Foundation facilitates the ICT infrastructure, content, connectivity, training and strategic inputs for the programmes
Resource partners bring funds and socially relevant products for the centres
NGOs offer trained manpower and resources to run the centres
The local communities provide space and other necessary support to the centres

The NKN centers are set-up and managed through a multi-stakeholder partnership among NASSCOM Foundation, NGOs, CBOs and Not-for-profit organizations. NASSCOM Foundation facilitates the content, connectivity and capacity building component of the program, the NGO partner brings in human resources and resources to run the centre. Very often the physical space is donated by either by the local panchayat, school or people from the community, or is taken up at a very subsidized rent from the community. The NGOs who partners to run the program, through its local presence and outreach activities ensure the footfalls and use of the services at the centers. Thus the NKN is designed to be adopted easily by NGOs and the corporates, thereby allowing room for scalability, both functional and quantitative.

NASSCOM Foundation’s community-centric initiatives in synergistic interventions leverages on the power of partnerships and brings together donors, content providers and implementing agencies, thus enabling grassroot organizations to start successful ICT projects with every partner (Resource, Implementation, Connectivity and NASSCOM Foundation) being vital to the network.