How Do We Make Open Data Useful in East Africa?
“What is the use of open data that makes it relevant for everyone?” This candid question was raised at the East Africa Open Data Fest held in Nairobi in August....
How to Mine All Your Existing M&E Data Without Breaking the Bank
A common challenge faced by organizations in a world where information systems are changing rapidly is a large amount of data that is not easily accessible. The...
9 Tricks for Hacking Google Sheets for Better M&E
Google Sheets can be a powerful tool for real-time monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning. But how can you optimize your setup to work with data that is...
Ranking the 6 Problems with ICT4D Product Rankings
I still remember how excited I was, the first time that FrontlineSMS got asked to participate in a “How to Choose the Right Tool for You,” technology product...
4 Ways We Weaponize Data in International Development
Vu Le writes the amazing Nonprofit With Balls blog, and while he is focused on the USA domestic NGO community, the points he makes transcend borders and are applicable...
Give Us Your Sexist Data, And We Will Give You an Apple Watch!
Women are one-half of the world’s population, one-third of its official workforce and do two-thirds of its productive work, yet they earn one-tenth of its income...
What Is The True Cost of Collecting Performance Indicator Data?
We had a fascinating conversation a few weeks ago with a medical doctor who runs an HIV clinic in Tanzania. He offered an anecdote that powerfully illustrates an...
Oxfam’s Responsible Data Policy – Do You Have One Too?
As a rights-based organization, Oxfam is committed to using data responsibly in order to uphold the rights of the individuals, groups, and organizations with...
Stop Giving Away Smartphones!
Pretty much every day, I hear the same failure refrain repeated again and again, “We gave away 50-100 smartphones for our mobile project.” Why is this...
5 Tools for Secure Communications and Data Storage
Many local partner organizations that international development actors engage with face risks while operating in challenging – and sometimes dangerous – environments....