MUMBAI, August 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
80 per cent respondents are open to technology solutions to solve civic issues
A survey by Omidyar Network has highlighted an urgent need for innovation in civic technology - technology that enables citizens to engage with the government and/or each other in order to drive participation in public decision-making processes and improve delivery of services.
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Infrastructural support, efficient waste management and traffic control were identified as the top three areas for civic tech intervention. The survey also highlighted that 74 per cent of respondents see civic tech as an aid to increased citizen engagement and participation with the administrative bodies. Overall findings from the survey highlight a massive opportunity for both, entrepreneurs and investors alike, to innovate and create impact in this space.
The key to unlocking India's potential of citizen involvement in helping solve critical civic issues lies in developing innovative initiatives in civic tech. The survey found that 80 per cent of respondents believe that the adoption of technology will enhance the quality of life across communities. Respondents also correlate the improvement of service delivery with the presence of a direct line of communication with the government and administrative authorities.
Roopa Kudva, Partner, Omidyar Network, elaborated on the study's findings and stated, "The survey overwhelmingly illustrates a gap in the delivery of public services. There are interesting differences between what citizens in different cities identify as the top opportunity for intervention - safety in Delhi, pollution in Bengaluru and condition of roads in Mumbai. Nevertheless, across cities, respondents show an increasing desire for technology to bridge the divide. With India's 'Next Half Billion' first-time internet users expected to come online via their mobile phones in the next five years - a plethora of possibilities will open up for entrepreneurs and investors to build technology-led businesses that improve civic services for citizens."
In order to develop and drive this emerging sector, Omidyar Network, in collaboration with venture development firm, Village Capital, announced the first of the shortlisted ventures of the Civic Tech India 2018 Accelerator program. The program will train and support an inclusive community of entrepreneurs, investors and mentors to assist participating ventures develop early-stage civic engagement initiatives to address civic issues. The accelerator has seen more than 100 applicants. Of these, 14 applicants have now been shortlisted for further training through workshops and cohorts to help advance their initiatives and create impact at scale. The selected ventures are looking to develop civic technology products and services across multiple sectors such as water management, waste management, government operations and mobility. The 2018 cohort includes:
Speaking about the program, Deepak Menon, Regional Director of emerging markets at Village Capital stated, "If we're going to solve the issues that Indians grapple with every day, we'll need the help of both the public and private sector. This program is an exciting evolution of our past programs in India, focused on sectors such as education, health and financial inclusion, which are inextricable from civic life."
"In India, the time is now ripe for a multi-pronged approach to building the country's civic tech ecosystem. The identification of the massive opportunity for civic tech in India will draw an increasing number of entrepreneurs, investors, citizens, and government partners into developing and establishing technology-led solutions aimed at creating world class civic management solutions in the country," added Bharath Visweswariah, Director, Omidyar Network.
ANNEXURE
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SURVEY:
With priority areas for India's major cities being identified as:
About Civic Technology Survey 2018
The pan India survey was conducted by Omidyar Network in early 2018, with more than 300 self-selected Indian citizens above the age of 20 years from more than 10 cities. The survey was designed to derive insights from fellow Indian residents about the everyday problems that they face within their community, town or city and their views on how the intervention of technological solutions may assist in mitigating these issues.
About Omidyar Network
Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm, established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam. We create opportunity for people to improve their lives by investing in market-based efforts that catalyze economic and social change. In India, Omidyar Network focuses on helping the hundreds of millions of Indians in low-income and lower-middle-income populations, which we define as ranging from the poorest among us to the existing middle class.
Omidyar Network has committed more than $1 billion through equity investments in for-profit companies and grants to non-profit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple areas, including Digital Identity, Education, Emerging Tech, Financial Inclusion, Governance & Citizen Engagement, and Property Rights.
To learn more, visit http://www.omidyar.com and follow on Twitter @omidyarnetwork #PositiveReturns
For further information, please contact:
FleishmanHillard for Omidyar Network
Nairita Ghosh
[email protected]
+91-9821260959
Lynn Verghese
[email protected]
+91-8291992694
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