Aptivate is a
NGO
A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...
and
not-for-profit organisation
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
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 the source code, design documents, or content of the product. The open-source model is a decentralized sof ...
''Loband'' website service. Formed on 1 December 2002; until December 2006 it was known as ''Aidworld''.
Aptivate is a member of
the Humanitarian Centre.
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) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
,
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) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...
, 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 to improve access, production and use of research information and knowledge, so that countries are equ ...
-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
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)french: link=no, Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture; it, Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'Alimentazione e l'Agricoltura is an intern ...
and
WHO
Who or WHO may refer to:
* Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun
* Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism
* World Health Organization
Arts and entertainment Fictional characters
* Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book ''Horton Hear ...
's research access programmes commences.
See also
*
Appropriate technology
Appropriate technology is a movement (and its manifestations) encompassing technological choice and application that is small-scale, affordable by locals, decentralized, labor-intensive, energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and locally ...
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