SANGONeT is pleased to announce the South African NGO Web Awards 2007

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.

Now in its second year, this competition aims to raise awareness about the benefits of having a web presence among South African NGOs, 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 2007 SANGONeT “ICTs for Civil Society” Conference and the winners will be announced at the conference gala dinner on 17 July 2007. 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.

Focus of Competition
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 3 prizes to the value of R10 000 each.

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.

The 2006 winners are not eligible to enter.

Deadline
The closing date for entries is 31 May 2007.

Application process
Please download the entry  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 the editor of the SANGONeT portal, Fazila Farouk on (011) 403-4935 or fazila@sangonet.org.za

Graphic courtesy of Barbspics.