Sabien B. (2001) Some Principles of Financial Sustainability Based on Telecenters and a Telecenter Network in Australia, in Journal of Development Communication: Special Issue on Telecenters 12[2].

online: http://ip.cals.cornell.edu/commdev/documents/jdc-sabien.doc

The author discusses the team of financial sustainability starting from the model of Western Australian telecentre initiative. This initiative started in 1991 as a partnership between government and community, with the philosophy that the facility must grow from within the community and not be imposed from the outside by government. The author claims there must be commitment from the community to own and operate this facility in conjunction with a commitment from government to direct financial and other support resources into the key areas of operation that ensures the facility can remain open for the public to access services.

The article lists twelve actions which proved to be in the Australian experience a solid foundation for the sustainability of a Telecentre:

1. an overarching strategic plan
2. Strong links with key stakeholders
3. sound business
4. all services must be effectively costed
5. good volunteer management
6. a procedures manual to guide the operation of a Telecentre
7. good and skilled Management Committee
8. a good system of recording annual activity
9. a good mentor/support group
10. provide the community with good access to technology and match this to community need
11. establish a mixed pool of funding sources and try to keep at least one as a “core” funding source for a long as possible
12. never lose sight of what your community wants you to do

The author, finally, stresses the need of a network and of a continuous involvement of the community.