This is a call for participants of NGO-in-a-box a series of workshops aimed at addressing the needs of voluntary sector organisations by providing tailored Free and Open Source software and training. The workshops will be held across India over the coming two years. The first one will be held from the 19th to 24th of March 2007 in Pune, Maharastra, India. Another three events are planned for 2007 in the states of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka. Dates of these events will be confirmed. Supporters include Hivos, Netherlands and Tactical Technology Collective, Netherlands. This event is organised by Mahiti.org, Bangalore. Please visit http://ngoinabox.mahiti.org for further details of the event.

DATES

NGO in a Box Pune is a 5 day long workshop, to be held from 19th March to 24th March 2007. Participants are required to attend the entire event, which means arriving at the venue on or before 19th March and leaving on or after 24th March. The venue will be finalised shortly and communicated to successful applicants. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This is an event for experienced professionals actively working in advocacy NGOs, educational organisations, NGO resource centres, community centres and information dissemination organisations in Western India. Applicants will be chosen to represent organisations addressing a broad cross section of issue topics. These will include education, environment, health, economic development and rights.

Demonstrating that you have worked in one or more of the above areas will make your application stronger.

The workshop will cover the following broad thematic areas:

Topic 1 - Base Free and Open Source Applications: What to consider when migrating to open source, installation of a linux operating system, commonly used office and internet packages.

Topic 2 – Open Publishing: Desktop publishing, image editing, web publishing and collaboration, content management.

Topic 3 – Audio Visual: Audio editing and distribution, CD burning and ripping, media capture, audio visual playing tools.

Topic 4 - Security: Internet security, passwords, data storage and backup, communication and encryption.

All participants should be proficient desktop users of computers and have some past experience of using technology in the voluntary sector. They should have an existing awareness of the concept of Free and Open Source Software.

EXPENSES AND SUBSIDIES

For selected participants travel expenses by rail or bus to Pune will be reimbursed and local travel from the train / bus station to the venue will be arranged. Meals and accommodation during the workshop will be provided by the organisers.



BACKGROUND

NGO-in-a-box is a collection of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) tools selected for use by voluntary sector organisations. The project is an initiative of Tactical Technology Collective, Netherlands. The tools are distributed in downloadable form and as a physical box set of CDs. Several needs oriented editions of NGO-in-a-box aim to provide organisations with software relevant to their requirements. NGO-in-a-box is designed to increase the accessibility of FOSS to non-profit groups in developing and transition countries.


The project seeks to firstly increase awareness of FOSS among NGOs in the region, then develop and increase the capacity of key/influential individuals and NGOs in FOSS usage, and finally increase the FOSS user community. The project also seeks to establish a network of NGOs that use FOSS at various levels to exchange skills, experiences and support each other.


APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Organisations are requested to nominate 2 candidates each - one male and one female. Nominated candidates can apply by sending their responses to the to the questions at the end of this form on or before 9th February, 2007. Applications can be posted in plain text format to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Application forms are also available on the Mahiti.org website.

As the workshop is restricted to a limited number, participants will be chosen on the basis of past work, area of expertise and potential to spread ideas to other NGOs.


APPLICATION QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR ORGNAISATION

Please answer all the following questions. Responses do not need to be long, but please provide us with enough information to understand the main objectives of your organisation and have an overview of its structure and IT usage. We also need to understand the skills and interests of the nominees. Tell us why you want to attend the workshop and how you can contribute to the free software movement.

1. Location (town/city where your organisation is based):

2. Aims of your organisation and the year it was established.

3. Types of activities and projects you are engaged in (please give examples):

4. How many people work in your organisation (part time or full time):

Full Time
Part Time
Women
Men

5. Do you belong to an association, umbrella group or network (informal or formal)? If so give a short description?

6. Outline your organisations mail activities in which IT is used?

7. What other activities would you like to use IT for?


8. With whom would you most like to improve your communications? ( e.g. youth in-country, women in-country, diaspora, other organisations in-country similar to your own, etc.) youth in-country, women in-country 


QUESTIONS ABOUT NOMINEES


This section of the questionnaire is repeated twice per organisation - once for a male and once for a female nominee:


MALE NOMINEE

9. Basic personal information:

a. Name:

b. Gender:

c. Date of Birth:

d. Nationality:

f. Organisation:

g. E-mail address:

h. Telephone and emergency contact number(s):

i. Anything else we should know about you (allergies, diet, medical condition, special needs):


10. What kinds of areas / projects and initiatives have you worked on?

11. Current professional affiliation (organisation you work for, mission of the organisation, its focus areas, position you have in the organisation, etc.)?

12. Why are you interested in attending this workshop? What do you hope to learn?

13. Have you been involved with any technology projects? If so please briefly explain them.

14. Do you have any skills that you feel are relevant to this workshop and that you could share with participants?


FEMALE NOMINEE

15. Basic personal information:

a. Name:

b. Gender:

c. Date of Birth:

d. Nationality:

f. Organisation:

g. E-mail address:

h. Telephone and emergency contact number(s):

i. Anything else we should know about you (allergies, diet, medical condition, special needs):

16. What kinds of areas / projects and initiatives have you worked on?

17. Current professional affiliation (organisation you work for, mission of the organisation, its focus areas, position you have in the organisation, etc.)?

18. Why are you interested in attending this workshop? What do you hope to learn?

19. Have you been involved with any technology projects? If so please briefly explain them.

20. Do you have any skills that you feel are relevant to this workshop and that you could share with participants?


Edward Crompton
Mahiti Infotech Pvt Ltd
314/1 Vijay Kiran Building
7th Cross Domlur Layout
Bangalore 560071
Phone: +91 80 41150580
Fax: +91 80 41150583
www.mahiti.org