Projects
> Mobile Technologies Capacity Building
Program Ungana-Afrika
is
setting-up a mobile technology program and looking
for individuals and organisations to collaborate with.
Ungana-Afrika has started implementing the first phase of its
capacity
building program focusing on mobile technologies, that will aim at
supporting different stakeholders to utilise mobile technologies in
their development programs. During the first part of 2007, a short
research study
and a high-level program concept will be implemented. The project is
supported by Open Society Foundation for South Africa and the
documentation prepared will provide a foundation for further
development of the long term program concept. Currently we are
approaching relevant stakeholders and initiatives for future
collaboration purposes. Context
The growth rate of mobile technologies and
services have been one of the highest on the continent, even amongst
the poorest people. Examples of the opportunities mobile technologies
are providing to African development organisations are a way to collect
information more accurately than before or providing a medium for cost
efficient activism campaigns and programs. However, due the current
technology capacity crisis, development organisation have
either
no understanding of the possibilities, or they are not sure how to
proceed. Without a knowledge how mobile technologies support the
program strategies, what are the implementation requirements,
how
to coordinate implementation, who are the trustful service providers
etc.., the benefits of mobile technologies may become lost
opportunities. Program Concept
The capacity building program will help the sector
to overcome different challenges by ensuring that development
organisations are able to understand, plan, utilise and sustain mobile
technologies more efficiently. In addition, the planned program aims to
ensure that low-cost technology support is available when there is not
enough capacity within the development organisations by advising
service provides about the specific needs and support models related to
the development sector. Diagram
of the program
stakeholders and their relations (Note that this image is scaled to fit
the boundaries template of this page. Click on the image to open a
higher resolution version, 244 KB):
Current
Activities: A research study and program
planning process The incubation of
sustainable program is a long
term commitment and it requires resources, to establish efficient
operations. To avoid failures at a later stage, where investments for
several year program has been bade, it is important to proceed in
careful phases. The Open Society Foundation for
South Africa is
supporting the implementation of the first phase of the program
incubation by helping Ungana-Afrika to: -
Gain better understanding of the
opportunities mobile technologies provide by conducting a brief study
of the most relevant existing and emerging mobile technologies
available for (South) African development organisations (special focus
will be given to one of the OSF-SA program areas: Media, Human Rights,
Criminal Justice, or Good Governance)
- Gain better
understanding of the
requirements of the next steps for the set-up of a successful capacity
building program focusing on mobile technologies
As a result, a short study report will be
developed summarising the most promising and relevant mobile
technologies and defining initial ideas how they could be utilised by
development organisations (initially within the sector supported by
OSF-SA). In addition, a proposal focusing on the next phase of the
program set-up, including piloting of services that build the capacity
of OSF-SA supported organisations, will be prepared. Call
for collaboration As a part of the
program concept planning we will
be evaluating different collaboration models with stakeholders
interested in the development sector including technology and service
providers, or other mobile technology development initiatives. The aim
is to find partners with tested technologies or sustainable strategic
programs and rather replicate successful initiatives than develop
something from scratch.
We are also looking at possibilities to align our program with current
government programs and seeking support from relevant departments and
regulators.
Please send us your expression with a short definition of your
organisation/project and your ideas for possible collaboration to
info@ungana-afrika.org. Also, check out this space few months from now
for additional information and program updates. Ungana-Afrika
Ungana-Afrika is addressing the technology
capacity crisis in Africa by building innovative support programs and
tools that are empowering the development community. We are leading the
move towards more strategic application of technology for meeting
development objectives in the region, and have developed a good
relationship with local and global NGO networks.
Our mission is to empower development organisations to better integrate
ICTs as a strategic, mission focused, tool.
More information about Ungana-Afrika can be found at www.ungana-afrika.org
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