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WHAT IS THE ENGINE ROOM?We investigate and support the effective use of data and technology in advocacy through:
● Applied research
● Direct support
WHAT IS THE MATCHBOX?An accelerator for NGOs
Strategic and material support
Matchmaking between projects and experts
IS IT FREE?It depends.
We want to partner with great organisations.
If you can pay, we charge on a sliding scale.
If you can’t pay, we fundraise from donors.
It is also very selective to ensure we deliver.
WHO IS IT FOR?Advocacy organizations
Transparency and accountability projects integrating technology into their work
Latin America and Southern Africa (for now...)
GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLESMexico: crowdsourcing public spending
Argentina: tracking bills in parliament
Zimbabwe: water monitoring with WhatsApp
Namibia: visualizing petroleum exploration
WHAT WE LEARNEDwe’ve noticed a lot of patterns in how civil
society, journalists, and advocates can break complex ideas into workable projects
TECH. HUH. WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?Do you really need tech?
What is tech? (Baby don’t hurt me…)
Useful beats shiny every time
Avoid complexity
THINK SYSTEMICTechnology can’t be compartmentalizedinto a single project
Tech culture - learn the basics
In-house technical capacity
Make it last
ONE STEP AT A TIMETaking technology one-step at a time is important to develop smartly
Rushing into a technology overhaul will result in missteps and poor planning
PREP, PREP, PREP.Prep.
Many problems can be avoided by taking enough time to think about a project before implementing it.
GO LOCALDon’t overly rely on international funders and technology support providers (including us!)
Become familiar with technology communities in your city or country.
THINK LIKE A HUMANUser experience is key.
It doesn’t matter what you’re building - you are creating an interaction.
Invest time to make sure your audience will want to engage with your project.
QUESTIONS TO ASKKey questions that you should ask yourself while designing a project. These questions can save you loads of time and help you refine your idea
into a workable project plan.
WHO IS THIS FOR?Obvious, but again and again we see projects that do not explore their real audience.
If you are building a tool for the ‘general public’ then you haven’t done your homework.
The more time you spend unpacking what communities your projects are for, the better your project will be.
WHAT DATA WILL I NEED?Data is the petrol for technology projects.
Understanding what data you will need to get a project moving is key.
Scraping? Crowdsourcing? SMS? Better know that at the outset and plan for it.
IS IT SAFE?Data is information - usually about human beings.
Protect the privacy of your community.
Controversial themes can make you a target.
Have doubts? Ask for expert advice.
AM I REINVENTING THE WHEEL?Are you the only one who tried this?
Hopefully there is someone somewhere who has built something similar to what you are thinking about.
Comparable research and connections with similar projects can inspire and provide you with headstart thinking and resources.
WHAT OPEN TECH CAN I USE?Only start from scratch as a last resort.
Transparency and open source go hand in hand.
There are likely a lot of open source projects that can jumpstart your project.
Meet new people, help a friend.
OUR PROCESSEvery project is different, but there are certain steps that will make any project stronger, more focused and remove some uncertainties.
1.CHECKING ASSUMPTIONS
Hypothesis of change
Brainstorm your assumptions internally
Check them with your audience
2. DISCOVERY PHASEHas anyone else done this?
Is there anything similar I can learn from?
What were their biggest wins?
What were their biggest obstacles?
What tools, resources, communities are out there that can support me?
3. MAKE A PLAN, STANStart with a pilot
Design a broad project plan
Figure out what expertise you will need along the way
Find the expertise
Refine project plan
7. BUILD AND REBUILDTest early and often
Watch it break horribly
Rinse and repeat
Share with your audience
1.CHECKING ASSUMPTIONS2.DISCOVERY PHASE3.MAKE A PLAN, STAN4.SKETCH IT OUT5.A HOUSE FOR YOUR DATA6.A FACE FOR YOUR PLACE7.BUILD AND REBUILD
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