Models for Multi-Purpose Community Information Centres (MPCICs)

A number of different models for development of MPCICs have been applied in different parts Western Europe. The first centers established in Scandinavia had much focus on provision of IT facilities and dissemination of knowledge on the technology. Training is also a major part of the activities of the centers established in Spain in the past years. Other centers are focussed on employment generation often on a purely commercial basis. They are operated as any other private company and although they may contribute to regional development, it is not their primary objective.Income generation has proved to be a key for the success of MPCICs. The European experiences indicate that telecenters must be able to generate their own income on commercially based activities if they shall survive for a longer period. Public funds can be used to setup new telecenters and train the participants, but it seems to be very difficult to survive on attraction of public funds in the long run.This does not imply that telecenters cannot be used for non-commercial activities related to enhancement of local economic and cultural development in rural periphery regions. Telecenters can carry out services for local authorities and thereby generate income for themselves. The most successful model seems to be a center generating its own income, but with a relationship to local development movements - being private or public. Public support is reduced to initial funding and the buying of services from the local telecenter.