What would people in rural areas be able to do, if they had access to internet? Would it change their lives? And could it change their lives for the better?

This is what the pioneering IT-company BLUETOWN has set itself to do, by making connectivity accessible and affordable for people living in the rural areas of the world.

Connecting the unconnected….

More than half of the world’s population lives in areas without Internet connectivity. In Africa alone, 82% of households are not connected to the Internet. And in rural areas online connectivity is even more scarce.

This doesn’t mean that they’re missing out on Facebook updates and Netflix series. It’s much more crucial than that: for example, 80% of the health issues among patients in rural clinics could be addressed with the use of information and communications technologies (ICT).

In other words, lives can be saved and improved through the use of technology.

See how BLUETOWN provides low-cost, sustainable Wi-Fi solutions to connect people in rural areas of the world in this video:  (Scroll down to get hands on advice from BLUETOWN’s Partnership Manager). 

Technology + Development = Techvelopment

BLUETOWN has set itself out on a mission to connect the unconnected.

How? By providing them with sustainable, affordable internet connectivity as well as free access to a local content server, the BLUETOWN LOCAL CLOUD, that provides free, fast and easy access to e-health, e-learning, e-farming and more.

Technology alone cannot drive techvelopment efforts though. Connecting the unconnected also requires close cross-sector partnerships and local community engagement.

“Our approach is to build on multi-stakeholder collaboration involving a wide range of actors – governments, private companies, international and local NGOs,” explains BLUETOWN’s Partnership Manager, Marie Højgaard Berg.

Get more how-to insights from BLUETOWN 

Marie Højgaard Berg was one of the key note speakers at the miniconference on “Sustainability & Tech” in The Social Business Club.

At the miniconference, Marie Højgaard Berg shared how BLUETOWN provides fast and easy access to affordable and innovative e-solutions that help improve people’s lives in rural areas around the world. She also shared her experience with cross-sector partnerships and local community engagement.

Get key advice and insights into how BLUETOWN is linking sustainability and tech in this video interview:

During the miniconference participants and key note speakers exchanged their experience and ideas on how technology can drive sustainable business solutions.

Get more insights and concrete inspiration from the other key note speakers:

• The social business expert who provides an overview of key concepts, global trends & cases on sustainability & tech (Tania Ellis, Special Advisor & Founder, The Social Business Company)
• The forward-looking NGO that applies blockchain technologies in new business alliances to improve supply chain transparency in the protection of Nature (Tobias Trier Fuglsang, Advisor Innovation and Market Transformation, WWF)
• The international alliance that works to bridge sustainable development needs with digital finance (Marianne Haahr, Director, Sustainable Digital Finance Alliance)

The Social Business Club is an inspirational network forum for professionals from around the world with an interest in innovative and sustainable business practices that create value for society and the bottom line. Free sign-up at www.thesocialbusinessclub.com