Aptivate is a
NGO
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...
and
not-for-profit organisation
A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives.
While not-for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations (NPO ...
based in the United Kingdom. Aptivate combines best practices from the commercial software sector and the International Development sector to create ICT services that facilitate communication for unconnected communities, empowering ordinary people across the developing world to improve their lives.
Aptivate is notable for developing the
open-source
Open source is source code that is made freely available for possible modification and redistribution. Products include permission to use and view the source code, design documents, or content of the product. The open source model is a decentrali ...
''Loband'' website service. Formed on 1 December 2002; until December 2006 it was known as ''Aidworld''.
Aptivate is a member of
the Humanitarian Centre
The Centre for Global Equality (formerly The Humanitarian Centre) is a Cambridge-based hub organization which works to bring together local humanitarian organisations and societies, providing a local network and resources. Its website claims it is ...
.
Loband
Originally named ''Aidbase'', developed in 2004, Loband is a service that simplifies web pages allowing them to download faster over slow Internet connections, particularly those in poor countries.
History
Aptivate, formerly known as Aidworld, was first conceived in Nepal by two aid workers working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. They both had experience of the communications problems present in developing countries, and were trying to find a way of alleviating them. In collaboration with some technically minded friends, they founded Aidworld in 2002 with an initial focus on supporting the humanitarian aid sector.
In 2006, Aidworld changed its name to Aptivate. Since then, Aptivate has been working with other
nonprofits
A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...
,
charities
A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good).
The legal definition of a cha ...
,
NGOs
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...
, facilitators and trainers, web/software developers, and technical consultants.
2004
* Awarded £75,000
DTI SMART Award.
* Loband (then called Aidbase) pilot project in Kenya.
2005
* Loband version 2 implemented.
* The email service (later rebranded as Enclusion) launches at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia.
2006
* Publishes guidelines for low bandwidth friendly websites.
* Aidworld renamed Aptivate.
2007
* Network for Information and Digital Access (NIDA) Website Launch
*
INASP
INASP (International Network for Advancing Science and Policy) is an international development charity working with a global network of partners in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
Based in Oxford and governed by an international Board of Trustees, ...
-backed web design guidelines produced.
[{{cite web, url=http://www.aptivate.org/webguidelines/Guidelines.html , title=low bandwidth web design guide , publisher=Aptivate.org , accessdate=29 April 2010, archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100419070441/http://www.aptivate.org/webguidelines/Guidelines.html, archivedate= 19 April 2010 , url-status= live]
* Interface project for
UNFAO and
WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has 6 regional offices and 15 ...
's research access programmes commences.
See also
*
Appropriate technology
Appropriate technology is a movement (and its manifestations) encompassing technology, technological choice and application that is small-scale, affordable by its users, labor-intensive, efficient energy use, energy-efficient, environmentally sust ...
References
External links
Official websiteengineers without borders ukictupdateITU partnersBridging the Global Digital Divide
Non-profit organisations based in the United Kingdom
Organizations established in 2003
Development organizations