Like other Asian countries, Nepal has also witnessed huge changes in information technology in the last decade. Rural knowledge systems, livelihoods, socialization, enterprises and even communal integration are shaped by modern Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).
This paper aims to assess the impact of an ICT project on the livelihoods of a village in Nepal beset by conflict. It looks at the impact of the project on different aspects of livelihoods (physical, financial, social, human and natural). The paper will also look at the rural-urban connections generated by ICTs during conflict. Sustainability and replication of such interventions are important factors. Hence, the paper will throw light on benefit augmentation and harm reduction measures. Exploring the relationship among ICTs, livelihoods and the issues of social vulnerability will be another objective. It will delineate how ICTs are functioning, or should function, to fulfil livelihood means and to deal with the causes of conflicts.
The study site is Nangi village which falls under ward no. 1 and 2 of Ramche village development committee of Myagdi district in Nepal. For the study, 33 out of 106 households were selected. Apart from questionnaire survey, focus group discussions with women's group, case study and participant observation methods have been used for data collection.
The ICT project in Nangi was initiated by the local community and preliminary findings show that the introduction and success of this project encouraged them to start other development works. Hence, community ownership has resulted in stronger livelihood options than the government initiatives during times of conflict. But merely access to technology cannot produce geometric success; people need necessary skills to use the facility as an income generating mechanism. In a nut-shell, the research depicts that livelihood interventions during conflict should be need-based rather than supply-oriented to have a profound impact.