CDI Global
Digital inclusion is not just providing access to computers, but training people to use knowledge to become autonomous, to create and develop opportunities. CDI helps to create molecular-sized revolutions that truly empower people and allow them to use technology to achieve change.
Rodrigo Baggio, Founder and Executive Director, CDI Global
is the pioneer of digital
Who we are – global digital inclusion network
Founded in 1995 the Centre for Digital Inclusion (CDI) is the pioneer of digital inclusion in emerging countries with a focus on entrepreneurship and community action. Today, we are a network of 803 self-managed and self-sustaining CDI Community Centers throughout Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Jordan and UK with over 2,000 educators and coordinators. In addition to low-income communities, our schools are also present in indigenous communities, psychiatric clinics, hospitals for the mentally and physically disabled, as well as youth & adult detention facilities.
is the pioneer of digital
What we do – foster sustainable digital inclusion solutions and entrepreneurship
CDI teaches technology and project management skills to people in marginalised communities. During 4-6 month courses students increase their self-motivation, gain new perspectives in life and learn transferable skills that allow them to get better jobs, to start their own micro-enterprises and to make real changes to the local community. During the last 15 years 1,300,000 people have graduated from CDI programmes.
Three elements make CDI a high-impact social enterprise:
- Work with local partners – CDI always works in partnership with successful local organisations. They use our methodologies and materials to deliver technology courses while CDI measures impact and quality.
- Learn by solving social problems – CDI’s teaching methodologies focus on learning by doing. Students acquire technology skills while solving real local social problems.
- High social return on investment – By partnering with established local organisations and by focusing teaching on real world problems, CDI achieves a sustainable operational model and high social return on investment.
is the pioneer of digital
Educational philosophy – dialogue, reflection and real-life problems
CDI’s network globally has successfully established a problem-driven learning model that was initially inspired by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire and strongly focuses on problem-driven learning that is supported by local action and critical reflection. Every CDI course is based on a 5-step framework:
- To understand the world and each other.
- To define a project theme and research data.
- To plan an action.
- To mobilise and take action.
- To evaluate the path taken.
Students collectively identify a common challenge facing their community and prepare an action plan to overcome it. Issues can range from sexual abuse, pollution, violence, crime, and drugs, to lack of healthcare or schools. Students then take the technical skills they’ve learned in class to tackle the problem, mobilize their communities, engage in advocacy and awareness campaigns, and work together to solve that specific problem.
is the pioneer of digital
Impact – 1,300,000 people
More than 1.3 million at-risk youth and adults have been impacted by CDI. Based on CDI’s impact monitoring system they had the following profile:
- 65% were between 10-18 years
- 56% were women
- 63% had no source of income
According to two external evaluations conducted by INGAP and Fonte Institute in 2006 and 2007 students achieved the following results:
- 78% improved understanding of local community
- 75% improved reading and writing skills
- 47% found a new job
- 34% increased their income
- 23% re-enrolled in formal education
- 12% opened their own business
Recognition
CDI has received more than 60 international awards for its work including Ashoka, Avina, IDB, Schwab Foundation, Skoll Foundation, Tech Museum, Unicef, Unesco and is being supported by ABN-AMRO, Accenture, Avina, Carrefour Foundation, Cisco Systems, Deloitte, Dell, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Google.org, IBM, Motorola, Unilever, Vale Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.