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CONTENTS

1. Lessons from the Field: ICTs in NGO Capacity Building

2. New in the Digital Dividend Clearinghouse: Intel Computer Clubhouse Sustainability, PestNet, and Namibia's Educational Development and Support Network

3. Resource Marketplace: 21 New Resources Added. Highlights: TEK Search and TechSoup

4. Special Opportunities: GPK Seed Grant and Small Innovative Projects Fund, The Petersberg Prize, & The Gender and ICT Awards

1. Lessons from the Field: ICTs in NGO Capacity Building

Civil society and non-government organizations are playing a major role in determining the way people use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to build societies free from poverty and oppression, where knowledge and information are used by all sectors of the population for their economic, social, cultural, and political development.

Several initiatives are demonstrating how such organizations can utilize ICTs both to increase efficiency and empowerment in their own work and to provide services to local, national, and international communities. Read more

2. New in the Digital Dividend Clearinghouse: Intel Computer Clubhouse Sustainability, PestNet, and Namibia's Educational Development and Support Network

Ten new projects have been added to the Clearinghouse since our last edition of the Digest. Among the highlights are:

Intel Computer Clubhouse Sustainability and Expansion Initiative: This a project that seeks to find ways to make the Intel Computer Clubhouse projects in South Africa sustainable and scaleable once the initial project funding ends. Dot-ORG/AED staff are working with the local NGOs running the Clubhouses to develop and test different sustainability strategies and business plans.

PestNet: An example of a participant-organized and self-sustaining citizen network, PestNet is an e-mail network that helps people in the Pacific and South East Asia obtain rapid advice and information on plant protection, including the identification and management of plant pests. An informal network, PestNet uses e-mail to link people seeking advice on plants and pest control in developing countries with plant protection specialists worldwide.

Namibia's Educational Development and Support Network: An AED/ Learnlink project, the Educational Development and Support Network is an education-focused project aimed at educating Namibia's teachers through ICT tools and providing them with an educational portal through which they can update their skills and find educational materials.

3. Resource Marketplace: 21 New Resources Added, Including TEK Search and TechSoup

21 new resources have been added to the Resource Marketplace. Highlights include:

The Time Equals Knowledge (TEK) project has built a low-connectivity search engine for use by people at the far side of a bad telephone connection.

TechSoup, a comprehensive source of technology information for nonprofit organizations, provides links to freeware programs, donation application forms, and other helpful resources.

The Open Knowledge Network has been set up to collect and share local knowledge in local languages on vital topics like health, agriculture, and education.

The SME Toolkit offers software, business forms, training, and more to help businesses in emerging markets grow.

At Digital Dividends, we receive many requests for help identifying sources of funding, free computers and software, Web development assistance, and other resources. The Resource Marketplace highlights some of the most useful resources within and outside of the Clearinghouse that help address these needs. If you know of a resource that should be added, please e-mail us

4. Special Opportunities: GPK Seed Grant and Small Innovative Projects Fund, Petersberg Prize & The Gender and ICT Awards

Seed Grant and Small Innovative Projects (SGSIP) Fund: Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) has announced its SGSIP Fund for 2003. Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), GKP invites project proposals for pilot projects or from new or ongoing small-scale initiatives, not exceeding US$25,000, with a focus on developing countries. Submissions are due by June 30th, 2003. For more information and application forms, click here

Petersberg Prize Call for Nominations: Nominations are invited for the Petersberg Prize which recognizes exemplary contributions in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) for development. The prize will be awarded for significant contribution to a successful ICT for development project that benefits a significant number of people. The prize winner will receive an award of 100,000 euros during the Development Gateway Forum which will take place in 2004. Nominations are due by January 1, 2004. For more information, click here

Gender and ICT Awards: GKP and the Association for Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) are awarding two $8000 grants that aim to recognize and encourage gender and ICT initiatives globally. For more information, see APC's Web site or e-mail gkps@gkpsecretariat.org.my