When you buy electronics like mobile phones or laptops, you check reviews, comparisons, test videos, and other resources typical for consumer products. That was not the case for digital development services, devices and platforms. Until now.
Kopernik published the first Impact Tracker Technology Catalogue in 2014 and updated it last in 2016. This amazing resource formed the basis for Plan International’s “digital solutions portfolio,” a selected catalogue of tried, tested and supported digital solutions which are easily accessible for the field staff in the organisation.
New and improved Impact Tracker Technology Catalogue
Kopernik and Plan International have updated the catalogue with the latest information on common digital goods that can benefit the wider international development community in addition to our own organisation. The catalogue helps us to implement our current global strategy by utilising the power of data and digital technology to increase our reach, influence and impact in promoting children's rights and equality for girls. Some of the reviewed tools are currently being adopted in programmes such as our work on sexual health and rights in Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Laos.
Since needs of organisations and projects vary across agriculture, health, education, and other fields, the results can now be re-arranged by using several filters. Just give it try and play around.
Focus on Open Source Software
quite often the best bang for the buck comes from scaling already existing and proven technologies.
In line with the Principles for Digital Development*, this update features an additional emphasis on open source technologies, which is reflected in the accessibility scoring.
However, it is important to note that ‘Free and open source’ doesn’t always mean no-cost, turn-key solutions ready for immediate deployment. Open source solutions sometimes require people with specific skills, such as IT programmers, who can use open source tools to build something useful for organisations.
Whether a nonprofit or social enterprise has the in-house skills to help use such tool should be taken into consideration.
A Free ICT4D Solution Selection Tool for Everyone
Our hope is that the updated, dynamic site will be as useful as possible for a wide range of organisations planning to adopt digital solutions in their programmes. We also wish that this, together with other sources, makes it a bit easier for organisations to build or update their own digital solutions portfolios.
There is a constant search for new and innovative solutions and that’s OK. However, quite often the best bang for the buck comes from scaling already existing and proven technologies across the international development sphere.
Let’s make it easy for our staff to pick winners we know will help them today.
*Plan International is not responsible for content on external websites
