"This publication aims at understanding the nature and importance of various configurations of social and technological networks in community settings that combine to form a Local Information Networks (LIN). In this study LINs are conceptualised as comprising of two very different elements: one soci ... al, the other technological. Disaggregating the social and technological dimensions of local information networks helps us to understand how they work in practice and how they might be strengthened to bring greater social and economic benefits to the poor communities in which they are located. Hence, in both a practical and theoretical sense, a local information network can be thought of as a larger living field of social connections and communicative that determines the nature of information flow. On the technological side, the ICTs respond to specific local information needs expressed by recipient communities. On the social side, the combination of technological and human capacities embodied in a given intervention is superimposed upon a pre-existing field of social relationships. The three initiatives have been selected for the ways in which they demonstrate the use of social and technological elements within the local environment. Namma Dhwani and Nabanna were established through UNESCO’s Information and Communication Technologies for Poverty Reduction project, developed under UNESCO’s crosscutting theme on the eradication of poverty, especially extreme poverty. Akshaya on the other hand, is a State Government of Kerala initiative aimed at ICT literacy. The study concludes with the understanding that the technical dimensions of communication can never be fully divorced from the social if ICTs are to genuinely reach the poor with the information they need. Investment in social networks is critical since traditional forms of communication like word-of-mouth remains the most powerful, intimate and effective form of communication available to the very poor. The study also highlights the importance of local content production and the need to involve communities in the content creation process as key to achieving success is the quality, reliability and relevance of the information communicated." (Foreword) more