[{"bbox": [93, 177, 1134, 286], "category": "Text", "text": "The study on 'ICT accessibility assessment for Africa region' conducted in 2021 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - the United Nations specialised agency for ICTs and has a longstanding experience in addressing regulatory challenges worldwide and supporting countries on their digital transformation journeys - will further inform the interventions."}, {"bbox": [85, 299, 399, 331], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.5 The Intervention Logic"}, {"bbox": [97, 345, 1134, 585], "category": "Text", "text": "While COVID-19 was an eye-opener to the importance of digital access to services across every domain in our daily life it also contributes to highlight that Mozambique's digital transformation is still hampered by a number of challenges in the ICT sector. Evidence indicates that when appropriately applied, digital technologies can improve lives by empowering youth, women and girls, enhancing democratic governance and transparency, and boosting productivity and job creation. Harnessing digital technologies is vital for sustainable development and inclusive growth. Yet, for this to happen in Mozambique, it is crucial to pay attention to the digital divide. This means a strong focus on those living in the most vulnerable situations (women, girls, persons with disabilities, rural communities) to equip them with the necessary capabilities to thrive and improve their lives in the digital economy and society."}, {"bbox": [97, 611, 1134, 795], "category": "Text", "text": "For that, the Action will work to ensure that all the stakeholders (duty bearers, civil society and private sector) stay engaged and committed and that Government takes ownership of the initiative. VaMoz Digital! seeks to ensure that Mozambique is not left behind in the digital transformation of the world by addressing some of the major constraints faced in the country's ICT sector. The Action will work simultaneously on the enabling environment for digital transformation, with a particular focus on the legal and regulatory framework, and on the preparation of youth (women and men) to increase their opportunities for decent employment, digital entrepreneurship and become drivers of innovation."}, {"bbox": [97, 823, 623, 850], "category": "Text", "text": "The underlying **theory of change for this Action** is that:"}, {"bbox": [97, 850, 1134, 1036], "category": "Text", "text": "**If** there is an improved policy and regulatory framework; **if** the institutional capacity of the Government bodies are improved; **if** training institutions and employment-support services are capacitated; **if** inclusive digital and innovation ecosystems are available; **if** tech-hubs play their role and are inclusive; **if** digital and business skills of young people (women and men) are improved; and, **if** more innovative businesses and (digital) jobs emerge through incubation and acceleration programmes, **then**, there will be an enabling environment for digital transformation and an increase in the employability of Mozambican youth (women and men)."}, {"bbox": [97, 1061, 1134, 1115], "category": "Text", "text": "This will contribute to the **sustainable socio-economic development and inclusive growth in Mozambique** as the broad impact of the action."}, {"bbox": [97, 1141, 1134, 1302], "category": "Text", "text": "The impact of the interventions is sustainable as the measures put in place to strengthen the enabling environment are appropriate to the country-specific context and forward looking in terms of their design. The underlying assumption to this programme is that the Government - with the help of partners - keeps investing in digital infrastructure and connectivity to allow affordable and inclusive access to digital services. Complementary actions of both EU and other partners will also focus on providing children and youth with foundational literacy and numeracy skills through the formal education system."}, {"bbox": [97, 1326, 1134, 1513], "category": "Text", "text": "The establishment of **tech-hubs** in two provinces (Centre and North), operationalised through public-private partnerships is aimed at contributing to the sustainability of this Action as these will be sustainable facilities that will continue supporting its users even after the end of this action. The focus on those living in the most vulnerable situations (women, girls, persons with disabilities, rural communities) aims at addressing the digital divides and equipping these groups with the necessary capabilities to thrive and improve their lives in the digital economy and society. For that, the action will work to ensure that all the stakeholders stay engaged and committed and that Government takes ownership of the initiative."}, {"bbox": [1027, 1680, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 14 of 27"}]