BEYOND GIVING & VOLUNTEERING
How individuals are using technology and data to support vulnerable populations
Trina Isakson@telleni
THIS IS NOT ABOUT…• How vulnerable populations are/are not
using data and technology
• How nonprofit organizations and governments are using data and technology for social good
COMMON LANGUAGE• Crowdsourced
• Crowfunding
• Hackathon
• Application
• Open data
Consumerism
Technology and data
InvestmentsBusiness
owner practices
Consumerism
Technology and data
InvestmentsBusiness
owner practices
Technology and data
Technology and data
• Hackathons and collective initiatives
• Mobile and web applications
• Open and crowdsourced data
• Digital advocacy
Technology and data
• Hackathons and collective initiatives
• Mobile and web applications
• Open and crowdsourced data
• Digital advocacy
Consumerism
Investments
Technology that helps people make different investment choices (i.e. crowdfunding)
Technology that helps people make different consumption choices
WHY STUDY THIS?Canadian context: bitly.com/beyondgandv
HOW ARE INDIVIDUALS USING TECHNOLOGY AND DATA TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS?
HOW ARE INDIVIDUALS USING TECHNOLOGY AND DATA TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS?GENERALLY, THEY’RE NOT
The database is constantly growing but contains the following base layers:
Reserve Name, coordinates, population, etc.
ICT coverage (broadband, internet, cellular, and telephone)
Water Treatment Information (coverage, population serviced, quality, type of treatment, etc.)
Wastewater Treatment Information (coverage, population serviced, quality, type of treatment, etc.
Boil Water Advisory Information (historic and current, risks, and population affected)
Census Data
Montréal Accessible
HACKATHONS OFTEN SUFFER BECAUSEThere is little focus; reliance on general ‘ideas’
Data often is good for action, less for policy and social change
Participants are usually not social scientists, do not have lived experience, or are not the intended user
Little to no ongoing support after event
HACKATHONS OFTEN SUFFER BECAUSEThere is little focus; reliance on general ‘ideas’
Data often is good for action, less for policy and social change
Participants are usually not social scientists, do not have lived experience, or are not the intended user
Little to no ongoing support after event
HACKATHONS COULD BE BETTER IFThe challenge is made specific and arises from lived experience
The data is good and deep
Design encourages more diverse participation
There is a plan for ongoing support for implementation and future changes
There are over
40 Canadian
crowdfunding sites in various stages of development.
CLICKTIVISM
DRIVERSInterest
in all things ‘local’
Increased belief in
responsibility of business to play a role in social good
Young people taking action
In addition to / correlated
with giving and
volunteering
CHALLENGESLack of awareness among individuals
Uncertainty and fear among
potential supporters
Lack of capacity and interest among
charitable sector
The activities that draw interest are
not necessarily the ones that have
impact
TAKEAWAYS① Nonprofit and tech folk: get to
know each other
② Try a non-tech hackathon
③ Don’t operate in an ‘echo chamber’
MINI-HACK• Start with a question or challenge that, if answered, would
move your mission forward.
1. Can we clarify the question? Is it specific enough?
2. Who would we need in the room for a hackathon?
3. What good data or other resources could help us?
4. Is it possible for participants to have transformational, experiential learning regarding the challenges that are being addressed?
5. How can we ensure the results of the hackathon live on?
• Rely on the nonprofit person or person with lived experience as a key source of information.
CONTACT• Trina Isakson
• @telleni
• Links and slides: 27shift.com/nettuesday