The program – formerly known as “ICT for Local Development” – has been implemented since 2012 and is a continuation of PAFF's activities supporting the use of new information and communication technologies in local development. Its main goal is to improve knowledge and skills of non-governmental organizations’ leaders and employees, particularly those from villages and small towns, in effective use of ICT in their everyday work in order to increase the scope and effectiveness of their actions.
The implementation of the program was preceded by a series of analyses carried out by the Unit for Social Innovation and Research “Shipyard” Foundation, as well as consultations with domestic and foreign experts. Information on the progress made by NGOs in the ICT field, and on the knowledge and qualifications of their staff in that area has been collected and made available.
Under the program, thematic training for NGOs was carried out showing examples of effective use of modern technologies in communication, marketing and management. Some of those organizations received grants for purchase of hardware and software as well as for financing projects focusing on the practical use of ICT in third sector activities. The program’s offer also includes an ICT Mobile Advisors’ Network – 80 experts providing free educational and technological support services for local NGOs. So far, Mobile Advisors have provided over 7,500 pieces of advice, and nearly 15,000 NGOs’ representatives from all over Poland benefited from their assistance.
The program offers also funds supporting creation of new ICT tools that can be used by non-profit organizations.
Particular emphasis is placed on providing knowledge on how to identify potential areas where information technologies can be harnessed by NGOs. To that end, among other things a network of TechClubs has been set up in 16 Polish cities where representatives of NGOs, business, local governments and the academic community meet on a cyclical basis to share their experience in using modern technologies. Since 2012, over 18,000 people meetings have participated in the TechClubs meetings.
An important part of the program are annual international conferences – Sector 3.0 Festival. They gather representatives of non-governmental organizations, ICT professionals from business circles, politicians, academics as well as foreign experts (from the USA, the UK, South Korea and India). They make a platform of information exchange about current trends in ICT use for social activities. Over the period from 2012 to 2019, 4,550 people participated in 9 editions of the annual Sector 3.0 conference held in Warsaw. In its first online round in 2020 it had a coverage of 3.3 million participants on the Internet, over 400,000 live broadcast displays in Onet and 1,300 involved viewers on Hopin, Facebook and YouTube. Over 70 experts were involved in its organization, including a team of 15 people in charge of communication during the event.
The Foundation has disbursed $3.494.239 , including $157.548 for the current edition of the program.
