“Go Digital ASEAN: Digital skills to address the economic impact of COVID-19” Project

Abstract

The project “Go Digital ASEAN: Digital skills to address the economic impact of COVID-19” was approved for implementation by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) during its 8th Meeting in November 2019. The collaboration between the ACCMSME and The Asia Foundation, supported by Google.org demonstrates synergy and partnership with non-government partners in implementing the Action Agenda on Digitalisation of ASEAN MSMEs through Capacity Building Initiatives (Action Agenda) and by extension the ASEAN Digital Integration Framework (DIF). The goal of the project is to expand economic opportunity across ASEAN countries, and minimize the negative impact from the COVID-19 crisis, by equipping underserved communities with critical ICT skills to leverage the digital economy, and raise awareness of this opportunity among senior ASEAN stakeholders (senior officials and ministers). The objectives include: Increase the ability of rural micro-entrepreneurs and MSME owners to grow their businesses by utilizing ICT tools and online markets; Improve the ability of underemployed individuals to participate in the digital economy; Help senior stakeholders understand the potential of MSME entrepreneurship in the digital age.