Digital Public Library of Côte d'Ivoire

Grant Application Summary: Digital Public Library of Côte d'Ivoire

Project Title:
Digital Public Library of Côte d'Ivoire: Empowering Access to Knowledge and Culture

Applicant Organization:
AI Without Borders Network (Africa-Israel Economic Cooperation Committee)
In partnership with the Ministry of National Education and the Technical Education, and the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

Project Duration:
24 months (January 2026 – December 2027)

Total Funding Requested:
$5,000,000 USD

Project Summary:
The Digital Public Library of Côte d'Ivoire is a national initiative to democratize access to information, education, and cultural heritage through a multilingual, mobile-friendly digital platform. It will serve as a central hub for learning, research, and cultural preservation, especially targeting underserved communities and youth.

Problem Statement

Despite significant progress in education and digital infrastructure, Côte d'Ivoire faces persistent challenges in equitable access to knowledge and cultural resources. Many communities, particularly in rural areas, lack access to libraries, educational materials, and digital tools. The absence of a centralized, inclusive digital platform limits opportunities for learning, cultural preservation, and innovation. Additionally, much of the nation's rich cultural heritage remains undocumented or inaccessible to younger generations. Without strategic intervention, these gaps risk widening the digital divide and undermining national efforts toward inclusive development and global cultural engagement

Objectives:

• Provide free and equitable access to digital educational and cultural resources.

• Digitize and preserve Ivorian literature, oral traditions, and historical archives.

• Promote digital literacy and lifelong learning.

• Foster global cultural exchange and innovation.

Key Activities:

• Infrastructure development and platform design

• Digitization of content and multilingual adaptation

• Pilot launch in selected regions

• National rollout with training and community engagement

• Monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability planning

Expected Outcomes:

• Increased literacy and educational access for over 5 million citizens

• Preservation of over 10,000 cultural and historical documents

• Strengthened digital inclusion and innovation capacity

• Enhanced global visibility of Ivorian heritage

Funding Breakdown:

• Planning and Infrastructure: $1.2M

• Content Development and Digitization: $1.5M

• Pilot Launch and Engagement: $800K

• National Rollout and Sustainability: $1.5M

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

To ensure accountability, effectiveness, and continuous improvement, the Digital Public Library of Côte d'Ivoire will implement a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework:

• Baseline Assessment: Conducted during Phase 1 to establish benchmarks for access, literacy, and digital inclusion.

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

  • Number of users accessing the platform monthly

  • Volume of digitized content available

  • Number of community learning spaces established

  • User satisfaction and engagement metrics

  • Training sessions conducted and participants reached

• Data Collection Tools:

  • Online analytics dashboards

  • Surveys and feedback forms

  • Field reports from community facilitators

• Evaluation Schedule:

  • Quarterly progress reviews

  • Mid-term evaluation at the end of Phase 2

  • Final impact assessment at the end of Phase 4

• Reporting and Transparency:

  • Public release of evaluation summaries

  • Stakeholder review meetings and donor updates

This framework will guide decision-making, ensure transparency, and support adaptive learning throughout the project lifecycle.