There are currently more than 220 000 NGOs registered with the Department of Social Development. Many of these organisations perform critical development, humanitarian, and advocacy functions, but in a changing and increasingly competitive operating environment, they are confronted with serious funding and sustainability challenges. Diversifying their funding base and attracting new individual and institutional donors... Continue Reading →
My #NGOs4Africa Campaign – Week Six Reflections
This blog covers the period from 13-19 August 2018. This time next week I will be running the first stage of the 250km Fire and Ice Ultra in Iceland. It is incredible how quickly time flies. It feels like yesterday when I started training for the race back in March, and now, six months later,... Continue Reading →
CIPESA – Promoting inclusive and effective ICT policy in Africa
The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), established in 2004, works to enable policy-makers in the region to understand ICT policy issues, and other stakeholders to use ICT to improve governance and livelihoods. CIPESA focuses on four different but interrelated thematic areas, namely promoting online freedom, ICT for democracy and... Continue Reading →
Internet and Technology-related Challenges and Opportunities Facing NGOs in Africa
by Felicia Anthonio, Coordinator, African Freedom of Expression Exchange The power of the Internet and technology has over the years enhanced the work of several organisations and individuals from diverse sectors globally - communications, journalism, advocacy, marketing, networking, etc. Like all other sectors of modern society, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been impacted by the vast... Continue Reading →
Siyafunda Community Technology Centre – Empowering communities with technology
A serious challenge facing many young people in South Africa growing up in townships and rural communities is low computer literacy and lack of access to the internet. Low-income households cannot afford computers and young people who attend schools in townships and rural communities often do not have access to computer labs. As a result,... Continue Reading →
Media Monitoring Africa – Promoting human rights and democracy through media
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), founded in 1993 as the Media Monitoring Project, acts in a watchdog role to promote ethical and fair journalism that supports human rights. It has evolved from a pure monitoring-based project to an organisation that implements successful media strategies for change, using technology, social media and data tools to make its... Continue Reading →
Internet and Technology-related Challenges and Opportunities Facing NGOs in Africa
by 'Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative In many countries across Africa, NGOs are citizens’ only access to basic needs. Some of Africa’s most important needs include access to universal human rights and digital connectivity via the Internet. As a result of the dire socio-economic and political situation in many parts of Africa, the rights... Continue Reading →
African Freedom of Expression Exchange – Promoting freedom of expression and human rights in Africa
The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) is a continental network of some of the most influential freedom of expression and media rights organisations in Africa. All AFEX member organisations are also members of the Toronto-based global free expression network, IFEX. Through the collective engagement and commitment of its members, AFEX’s vision is to have... Continue Reading →
Paradigm Initiative – Strengthening digital inclusion and rights in Nigeria and beyond
Paradigm Initiative (PI) is a social enterprise that builds an ICT-enabled support system and advocates digital rights for young people in order to improve their livelihoods. Founded in 2007, PI has worked with government, civil society, private institutions and international organisations, including the United Nations, to set standards in ICT education, telecentre support, ICT applications... Continue Reading →