Title: Under the Radar: The Contribution of Civil Society and Third Sector Organisations to eInclusion
Author: Alexandra Hache
Editor: Clara Centeno
Pages: 76 pp.
ISBN: 978-92-79-20488-3
ISSN: 1831-9424
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies
Publisher: Publications Office of the European Union
Date (published): 29/07/2011
Date (accessed): 19/07/2011
Type of information: research report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
"EU eInclusion policy goals reinforced in the flagship initiative ‘A Digital Agenda for Europe (2010)’ aim to both develop digital skills and competence for empowerment and emancipation and use ICT in support of social inclusion processes. The vast majority of the eInclusion initiatives in the field are carried out by the third sector and public sector organisations. In order to better understand how EU-third sector synergies could be strengthened in favour of the eInclusion process and, given the scarcity of data available about the structure, characteristics, needs and challenges of the civil society and the Third Sector Organisations (TSO), JRC-IPTS has carried out an exploratory research study to shed some light on the above questions.

The study, on which this report is based, starts by analysing the European policy framework for the third sector, and clarifies the nature and specificities of civil society and TSO activities and their contribution to social innovation. It analyses TSOs’ contribution to eInclusion objectives and makes an attempt to classify the different types of TSO from this perspective, providing many inspiring examples of TSO actions. Finally, it proposes some policy options to support and further develop the role that this sector plays in achieving eInclusion goals."

Title: Freedom Fone promotes information-for-all
Author Editor: kiwanja, Amy Saunderson-Meyer
Source: Build it Kenny, and they will come…
Date (published): 07/03/2010
Date (accessed): 08/03/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Kubatana.net – a Zimbabwean NGO who work to strengthen the use of email, mobile and the Internet among local NGOs and civil society organisations – were the very first FrontlineSMS user way back in October 2005. This initial contact lead us to work together on an early prototype of “Dialup Radio”, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service they’re now about to fully launch as “Freedom Fone”. As the service nears release, Amy Saunderson-Meyer – Media and Information Officer at Kubatana – talks about the tool and how they see it helping civil society in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Title: The E-Society Programme of Apac District, Uganda
Authors: Arjan de Jager, Margreet van Doodewaard
Pages: 18 pp.
Source: IICD
Publisher: IICD
Date published: May 2008
Date accessed: 21/06/2009
Type of information: research publication
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
In this article, the authors present and evaluate an e-society strategy in the East African country of Uganda. The programme is based on a participatory approach and the strategic use of digital and analogue ICTs. It aims to improve service delivery to the rural citizens of Apac district and strengthen democratic processes and interaction between Civil Society and Local Government. On the meta-level the project aims to develop a practical model for civil society and local government interaction and collaboration towards common e-society goals. The achievements of the project to date are presented and evaluated according to their impact on the quality of service delivery and the quality of democratic processes. On the basis of this article, the authors elicit lessons that can be used to guide similar programmes in rural areas in the developing world.