South African NGO Web Awards 2006

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SANGONeT is pleased to announce the first South African NGO Web Awards.

In recent years a growing number of South African NGOs have invested in ICT skills and infrastructure, including their own dedicated websites. This is a very encouraging trend and one which will hopefully continue to grow in future. The ongoing challenge is to expose NGOs to ICT issues, encourage them to take an active interest in these issues, sustain and expand this interest, and harness the power of ICTs to meet their development goals.

This competition aims to raise awareness amongst South African NGOs about the benefits of having a web presence, stimulate interest in the application of web solutions and applications, and showcase best practices in website creation and maintenance.

The competition will run in conjunction with the 2006 SANGONeT “ICTs for Civil Society” Conference and the winners will be announced at the conference gala dinner on 8 March 2006. Winners will be profiled during a special conference session focusing on the role and relevance of websites in support of the work of South African NGOs, as well as in the media and conference proceedings. SANGONeT is also conducting a special research project on “South African NGOs on the Web” and the winners will be profiled in the research findings which will be published in May 2006.

Focus of Competition

As this is the first competition of its kind in South Africa dedicated to the NGO sector, the emphasis will be on identifying NGO websites with unique and relevant features in relation to the overall development work of organisations, rather than very specific categories and criteria, or just the technical features of the website.

However, issues which will guide the judging panel are usability, accessibility, innovation and content, demonstrating how the website is complementing the core development focus and activities of the organisation.

Prizes

NGOs stand the chance to win prizes to the value of R50 000.

Eligibility

The competition is open to South African NGOs with a website.

Organisations must be able to demonstrate their non-profit status and involvement in development work in South Africa.

Deadline

The closing date for entries is Friday, 17 February 2006.

Application process

Please complete the online entry form.

Alternatively you can download the form, complete and fax it back to SANGONeT at (011) 403-0130.

Judging process

Entries will be judged by a panel of independent Internet and development experts.

The judges will only consider information that is supplied in the entry form provided and applicants are requested to adhere to the word limits. In some cases the judges may visit project websites or request further information to assist in the final decision.

The judges' decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

By entering the competition all applicants permit SANGONeT to use information from the entry forms to produce publicity materials for the awards and case studies for promotion of best practice.

Enquiries

Any enquiries about the competition can be addressed to Fazila Farouk at SANGONeT on (011) 403-4935 or portal@sangonet.org.za