Technology Support for Civil Society

Janet Haven
Program Manager
Tel: +36-1-327-3182
E-mail: jhaven@osieurope.org

The Technology Support for Civil Society Project strives to create systemic change in civil society by helping nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) use information and communications technology (ICT) to become more effective advocates and increase their efficiency.

The project achieves its aims in two ways:

Through development of NGO-specific services, tools, and materials at the local level
By applying these tools and services to build issue-focused civil society networks

NGO-ICT Services and Skills

By cultivating locally run and owned NGO-ICT expertise, the Information Program aims to meet the ongoing technical planning, implementation, and support needs of NGOs. This is done through developing local NGO technology service providers, cultivating local social software developers (in conjunction with toolsets), and seeding and promoting eRider projects.

An eRider is a local roving NGO-ICT consultant who works on a one-to-one basis with different NGOs, helping each organization develop and implement a communications and technology strategy tailored to its mission, needs, and internal culture. An eRider works with an average of 20 NGOs per year, giving them tailored advice, training, support, and mentoring. The Information Program has nearly 15 eRider projects underway in 20 countries.

Tools and Materials

By promoting tailored tools, materials, and services, this initiative aims to provide the NGO sector with access to appropriate and necessary resources which may include:

Local NGO portals, such as Ma NGO, Macedonia
International civil society resources, such as Idealist
Disseminating social software tools, such as Martus
Developing training materials on specific subjects
Raising awareness about open source philosophy within the NGO community

The Technology Support for Civil Society project is committed to developing open source tools and open content products.

Issue-Focused Information Networks (Application of Tools and Services)

We believe that networking within an organization can make civil society more powerful. We strengthen existing and emerging networks by helping them use ICTs to:

Collaborate across borders (e.g., to develop approaches to regional problems)
Build mutual resources (e.g., to cross-reference data)
Mount regional campaigns (e.g., to collectively lobby a third party)
Promote learning and skill sharing (e.g., to replicate and connect projects)
Achieve economies of collaboration (e.g., to share costs and expertise)

The Information Program has been developing a toolbox of services and software tools to aid in the development of such information networks. The intention is to build the networking skills of key actors, provide access to relevant tools and resources, and create environments conducive to networked social activism.

In this work we operate in partnership with Open Society Institute initiatives, Soros national foundations and major NGO partners. Our engagement with issue networks normally involves a process of:

Mapping and analysis
Planning and strategy
Facilitation and support
Monitoring

Geography

The primary geographic focus of this project is on Central and Eastern Europe, South East Europe, the former Soviet Union, Central Asia, and Southern and Western Africa, with some activities in South East Asia and Latin America.