NetSquared enables social benefit organizations to leverage the tools of the social web.

net2 updates

Building community in your area? Check out the newly-launched Community Organizers Handbook! Everything you need to start and grow a NetSquared Local group or any other community-powered program.

net2 local

NetSquared Local events provide a chance to connect locally with all those interested in the intersection of social technologies and social change. There are new groups forming every week: Join in!

net2 updates

Building community in your area? Check out the newly-launched Community Organizers Handbook! Everything you need to start and grow a NetSquared Local group or any other community-powered program.

Kabissa 2.0: Strengthening the Social Web in Africa

Challenges Entered: 
Marries power of Web 2.0 with passion of 950+ African orgs in our network. Savvy Web 2.0 Ambassadors will collaborate through the Kabissa site and face to face to develop and promote homegrown strategies for employing Web 2.0 for social change.

 

Kabissa was founded on the belief that technology is a revolutionary force for change in Africa. Over the past 8 years, we have built a vibrant network of over 950 African civil society organizations who are all striving to integrate technology into their work – from fighting human rights abuses to feeding AIDS orphans.

The latest wave of Web 2.0 technologies has the power to take the work of these organizations to a new level. Blogs, wikis, tagging, podcasts, social networking sites – they all provide new and easy ways for African grassroots organizations to participate in -and indeed drive - global conversations about social change issues that affect them.

To this end, Kabissa has already embarked on several Web 2.0 projects to give African organizations a stronger voice on the Internet, including turning our print ICT training materials into a wiki, creating a Kabissa blog, and transforming our member profile directory into a social networking site. But all of these technology changes won’t bring social change without the vibrant Kabissa community putting them to use.

Time To Get Online WorkshopThrough this project, we will develop a strong network of African technology activists and advocates who can effectively take advantage of the many possibilities Web 2.0 has to offer. We will recruit twenty key partners throughout the continent who are very motivated to serve as “Web 2.0 ambassadors” for their local communities where they already work as well as to the larger Kabissa community of civil society organizations throughout Africa.

Together with our partners, we will develop a shared understanding of how Web 2.0 technologies work, their application to the Kabissa community, and how they can be used by different types of African civil society organizations working in different environments. Kabissa will support these partners in applying these lessons to their own organizations, but also to the larger community, creating a viral spread of tech-activism throughout African civil society.

WHAT WE NEED:

  • Funding: US$500,000 over two years as the network becomes sustainable (face-to-face meetings, network coordination, developers, partner stipends, communications costs, etc.)
  • Expertise: People and organizations who understand, and have experience, in:
    • Web 2.0 techies/developers
    • Users of Web 2.0 in Africa
    • Developing and maintaining virtual communities with online and offline communications

Project Details
Project Assessment
Sustainability Model: 
After the initial investment to develop the network of twenty key partners, there will be three main categories of costs: 1) specific projects initiated and run locally, but with the support of Kabissa/the Kabissa network, 2) specific projects that span the entire network, and 3) on-going infrastructure costs to run the entire network, e.g., Kabissa community Web site, community coordinator, etc. For local projects, partners would be responsible for fundraising for those costs, likely from a combination of fees-for-services and grants, depending on the nature of the project. Because this project targets the “sweet spot” between the mission of the local partner and the goals of the entire Kabissa community, the local partners will likely naturally begin to integrate these projects into their existing programs and infrastructure. Kabissa will be responsible for raising funds for projects that span the entire network. As one-time, limited-term projects, these will likely be grant-funded. The costs for the community infrastructure will be borne equally between the local partners and Kabissa. We envision many opportunities for synergies here, such as partners collecting fees for Kabissa services in local currency, opportunities to offer on-going services such as consulting or training that can raise funds, etc.
Expertise needed: 
We welcome help in creating a detailed sustainability model, which includes Kabissa and a network of 20 partners in Africa. Advice on how to structure the relationship with the partners would be very helpful, e.g., contract and payment structures.
We need help in creating Web 2.0 features that are visually compelling, simple to use, and engaging for a wide range of stakeholders. We are looking for innovative ways to tell the individual stories of our Web 2.0 ambassadors to a larger audience.
We would love expertise in customizing Drupal to be extremely user friendly for people working in difficult low-bandwidth environments, e.g., creating new modules, browser and usability testing, email/mobile phone integration, working offline, etc.
Project goals: 
July-August: Selection of twenty key partnersSeptember 1, 2007 – Launch of “Kabissa 2.0” site and toolsSeptember-October 2007 – First meeting of key partners to launch network
Identified Obstacles: 
Finding the "right" partners – innovative, passionate belief in the power of technology, sustainable and stable organizations Keeping the momentum/motivation of the network over the long-term. We need to motivate people with local content, activities and concerns, but also share benefits of lessons learned etc with the larger communityFinding synergies with likeminded initiatives and not reinventing the wheel Finding balance between the power of online Web 2.0 tools and support for offline tools and existing ways of engaging

I have to admit in Africa

I have to admit in Africa Kabissa 2.0 is a very powerfull web social tool. It is just a matter of time until it will spread world wide. In my opinion is has potential to become as good as Twitter and other social web services.

Without a doubt that in

Without a doubt that in Africa Kabissa 2.0 is a powerful social web tool. Basically this will allows to the users to create a network of blogs, wikis etc.

Thanks for sharing these

Thanks for sharing these info with us! I was reading something similar on another website that i was researching. I will be sure to look around more. thanks... Pariuri SportiveRezultate LiveClasamente Fotbal

keep up the good work :)

It's great that the Internet and Web 2.0 is giving African organizations a stronger voice on the Internet.   Fantastic project.   Please keep up the good work. :)

Great Job

I am so impressed by your efforts.   This is a really great iniative you have set up here, and I am glad it has some momentum.   Thanks so much for the post.

Great initiative!

I agree this is a great initiative!   May the combination of Web 2.0 and open source software take yo uto great heights!

Indeed, strengthning the

Indeed, strengthning the social web in africa, is a big step. It will help african people to be aware on what happening to another nation and it will enhanced their knowledge. Good luck to the organization.

Nice idea

I would like to do something similar within the Capeverde Islands, it's the best way to ensure that Africa does not derail in the present climate.

Internet to Africa

I see this as such an important step in the development of Africa!   Great job!   Keep of the good work!!!!

Kassiba is great

I truly admire the efforts put in by the volunteers who are working for thiss project. Its a pride for humanity. Actually these kind of initiatives will bring down the difference between the developed and underdeveloping countries to a great extent and will help the under previlaged to get the better exposure.

 

<A href="http://www.floridagulfvacation.com/tenantwiz/store/propertyCatalog.asp">Florida Vacation Rentals </A>

 

kabissa is a great

kabissa is a great project... It will help third world countries workforce to be compitetive with the first world country. It will really help the countries citizens. <A href=http://www.hardysolar.com/solar-san-diego>san diego solar</A>

Nice Initiative

Hey thats an excellent intiative by the team... Actually these kind of initiatives will bring down the difference between the developed and underdeveloping countries to a great extent and will help the under previlaged to get the better exposure.

 

Thanks for sharing the info

excellent

I am not an expert but I think it is a good initiative, we hope that it will give good results

Kabissa - An Excellent work

Hey thats an excellent work and concept intiated. I truly admire the efforts put in by the volunteers who are working for thiss project. Its a pride for humanity. Hats of to you.

 That was a great informative blog.

 Thanks for sharing

thanks,very useful and

thanks,very useful and interesting post.

That is awesome. Glad to

That is awesome. Glad to hear of some positive news.

Great Job!! a cause well

Great Job!! a cause well worth the effort.

This sounds like an awesome

This sounds like an awesome project.   Does anyone have an update on its success?

Looking Forward

This is an excellent project.   I am very impressed.   Technology has taken over and this seems to be a great starting point to bring people into the future.

Great Job

Great Job ! A cause thats well worth the time.

I am not profficient enough

I am not profficient enough to help directly but I will be employing some web gurus from CapeVerde in the not so distant future so maybe they can

I am extremely surprised to

I am extremely surprised to see how much great feedback is being given, but not only that how well the organisation is responding and willing to listen. You know, if the rest of the world was that easy how much better of a place would it of been, we finally have Obama, so let's see it might actually change a few things!

This is a powerful blog

I am extremely surprised to see how much great feedback is being given, but not only that how well the organisation is responding and willing to listen. You know, if the rest of the world was that easy how much better of a place would it of been, we finally have Obama, so let's see it might actually change a few things! I agree that technology is forceful but you gotta keep up with some things I guess, health is always a benefit of it as well.  

Nice job on the project..way

Nice job on the project..way to give back to the world!!

What a fantastic project,

What a fantastic project, congrats.

Great job to everyone

Great job to everyone involved with this project.

I think everyone benefits

I think everyone benefits from great  Web 2.0  initiavives like this.

Great Job!! A cause thats

Great Job!! A cause thats well worth the time.

Nice Project

Its awesome and sound like a good project.

Great Job!! a cause well

Great Job!! a cause well worth the effort.

I agree..a wonderful

I agree..a wonderful project!!

So interesting, thanks for

So interesting, thanks for sharing Dude !!!

Sounds like a very good

Sounds like a very good project. I hope the social web becomes strengthened in Africa.
------------
keyword elite seo elite water4gas fat loss 4 idiots rocket spanish

What a fantastic project,

What a fantastic project, congrats.

Awesome

This sounds like an awesome project.   Does anyone have an update on its success?

Good article, was pleasant

Good article, was pleasant to me.
It is written well, it is visible that the Author knows this theme.

Drupal is an efficient CMS

Drupal is an efficient CMS system for any social media sites.

What a fantastic project,

What a fantastic project, congrats.

Africa is the continent less

Africa is the continent less developed when it comes to informatics and internet. By training the residents into these two fields there can be created many working places by large companies looking to extend their business.
___
Mary-Anne, link building division.

ALL THE BEST!!

This project is a great idea, since you can't really help someone without having a good knowledge of his problems. I believe that the web 2.0 ambassadors will facilitate the communication of the RIGHT information, coming from the RIGHT people.

I love this amazing organization!

Kabissa, You've got my support forever!

Ghislain

Wow, this is definitely one

Wow, this is definitely one interesting looking project. Hope to see the remixing of the web for social change. earth4energy

good luck!

We should support and vote for this project as it would eventually create a huge impact on Africa's development and its people's future.   However, this endeavor needs a huge amount for funding.   And that's not easy to find these days.  I know a network wherein this project can be promoted and find support from sponsors. (They do not offer lending services) They will help you get the budget to start with…

Check out www.micro-capital.com.  

Good luck!

Rio

I love the Kabissa initiative

The Kabissa initiative is a most valuable one. There are hardly other organisations that seek to emancipate the mind of the African the way Kabissa does. All my support to Kabissa

Alo Fonkeng

TK Foundation, Limbe, Cameroon

A vote & good luck

Kim, Tobias, I just cast one of my votes for Kabissa and wish you the best of luck!

I also hope that as Kabissa expands its efforts on behalf  of ICT for African organizations, and as the localization movement in Africa matures, that we can work together to help Web 2.0 speak more of the languages of Africa.

In the meantime, thanks for your ongoing support!

Don Osborn
Bisharat.net
PanAfriL10n.org

Top ten!

I'm proud to give this project one of my ten votes for the NetSquared Technology Innovation Fund.

--ivan (Anti-Genocide Community proposal)

Adding Content to Access

Since a large part of the population in Africa is dependent on farming, which currently is often low tech, low input, low yields, low income, high risk. Farmers often lack information about markets (e.g. prices, demand, quality requirements) and on how to improve their way of managing crops and produce. May I point you to Farmer 2 Farmer Learning, a project I nominated, as an example of contents that could be used in your project for the development of services that could be of use to large part of the African people. By requesting fees from these farmers you may even improve the sustainability of your initiative, at least at the local level. Please feel free to contact me if/when you find Farmer 2 Farmer Learning interesting for your project.

Friendly greetings
Don Jansen

Agree!

Great points Don, I can't agree more. I hope that Afriace really is able to become an independant and safer country.

Grassroots-level Change

I really like how this isn't a top-down approach to change in Africa.   If you can actually have it work from the ground up, using your connections to those 900+ African organizations, this will be successful.

I hope that you're able to get the grants you need, this is a worthy project and affects such a great area.  

Dressing up the proposal

Since Kim is knee deep in NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference activities today, I updated the proposal to reflect Kim's simplified "Resource needs" that focus on social capital. I also dressed up the proposal somewhat by adding some formatting, a few nice images reflecting the important work of the grassroots groups we serve in Africa, and adding more substance to the project summary that appears on the project summary page.

As the resident Web 2.0 geek at Kabissa let me just also add that I am thoroughly excited to see this proposal up here and the "web 2.0 hype enabled" direction that it represents for us and the African civil society organizations in our network.

I can't wait to see what happens.

Best wishes,

Tobias

--
Kabissa - Space for Change in Africa
http:/www.kabissa.org

Social capital

I love how this project engages in and furthers the social capital and social power in the communities you serve. Instead of setting yourself up as the gatekeeper of social change, you're empowering the people -- who stand to benefit from greater democracy -- with greater access to democracy in self-organizing.

That said, you might want to look for a little more social capital than financial capital from the NetSquared community. Your budget may be perfectly reasonable, but it outstrips any grant I think you'll be able to get here. More fruitful may be to focus on the people and organizations with which you can collaborate to further the social web that you're building. In terms of financial support, maybe you could pick one particular aspect of the project that NetSquared could fund, and then seek out individuals at the conference who can help make that vision a reality.

A strong proposal, and I REALLY appreciate the approach of the organization -- I just think it might need a slightly narrower focus for the purposes of this fund.

--ivan (quixotic1.com/Genocide Intervention Network)

User login

Sitemap