Cristina Navarrete (Aúna): “We value iWith more as a strategic partner than as a service ...

Aúna has renovated and modernised its webpage design. The web project that supports social innovation initiatives has put its trust in Abcore Cadí to adapt to its new needs. In this interview, Cristina Navarrete, Project Manager of Aúna, explains what it has been like to work with us. 

Aúna has renovated and modernised its web page design and it is now much more accessible, visual, intuitive and easier to navigate. To do so, Aúna have put their trust in Internet Services Platform Abcore Cadí to manage their web communication and, among other things, enable an rMail service that allows the management of their emails, bulk mail and newsletters. The Aúna project helps initiatives with a social end to fulfil their mission through knowledge and social innovation. Cristina Navarrete, Project Manager of Aúna, explains to us what it has been like to work with iWith.org.

1. How did you get to know about us and how did your contact evolve during the consultation session?
We got to know about iWith.org through the internet, searching for opportunities for Aúna. The consultation session took place via Skype and, overall, we connected really well with the team. There has been a great willingness on the organisation’s part to understand our project and our needs.

2. Which actions took place to bring about the project with Aúna?
Following the consultation session by Skype, we received a more detailed proposal by email which included the web development. We had another Skype session to look at the details of the proposal that was finally adapted to our means. For the web development, we have had several sessions over Skype, exchanging emails and receiving training to use the Abdore Cadí Platform.

3. Did you find any difficulties in implementing the project?
Some; mostly relating to meeting deadlines and the web design.  

4. To what extent was the training useful?
It was very useful, although we then had to reinforce it with some additional consultations.

5. How satisfied is Aúna with the final result?
We are happy!

6. How would you value the assistance and support from iWith.org?
The support and the way the team has been there for us has been good. There has always been great willingness on the part of iWith, although we would have liked to be a little more flexible at times.

7. Would you recommend working with us to other people? Why?
Yes. Beyond the web creation, we have felt that there has been a desire to work on more projects together, as such, we value iWith more as a strategic partner than as a service provider. 



                                               

Cristina Navarrete, Project Manager of Aúna. Photo: Aúna

Looking Ahead from the GNRC 5th Forum in Panama

First of all, on behalf of Arigatou International and as Convener of the GNRC, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the valuable contributions not only of all Forum participants, but also of many other supporters of Arigatou International, to the success of the GNRC 5^th Forum held in Panama in May 2017. Each successive GNRC forum has built upon what has been achieved by GNRC members and supporters around the world. In this sense, I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude in particular to Ms. Mercedes Roman, who has dedicated herself to the mission of the GNRC since the very beginning of the GNRC in the year 2000 and has been instrumental in making the GNRC in Latin America and Caribbean region what it is today. Without her great contributions and long-time service as GNRC Coordinator for the region and as an advisor, the GNRC 5^th Forum in Panama would have never even taken place.

If religious people of different faiths come together in prayer and practice to work for children in collaboration with international organizations, governments and NGOs, we can make a major difference in the lives of children around the world. This was the conviction and aspiration of the late Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto, Leader of Myochikai and President of Arigatou International, when he proposed the idea of a worldwide interfaith network for children and inaugurated the GNRC at its first forum in 2000. I believe that the more than 500 participants, including children, who gathered from around the world for the 5^th Forum made a very good start with the firm commitments set out in the Panama Declaration. Now, it is up to all of us to work together to deliver on those commitments, to create tangible outcomes in ending violence against children in the months and years ahead.

The real success of every GNRC Forum depends on how we follow up on the commitments made in the forum. Our challenge here is how each of the forum participants, now back in their home contexts, can translate the Panama commitments into concrete actions and then link and connect all of these actions taken by GNRC members, supporters and partners at various levels around the world, in order to make a real difference overall. In other words, even the smallest action in the smallest village can be part of the global initiative for children that we share. And we welcome and encourage action by the children themselves, as active protagonists who can offer the full benefits of their wisdom and unique capabilities to the work of the whole. Arigatou International will not only continue to work with the forum participants, but also invite GNRC members, supporters and people of all walks of life to join us in the moral imperative to put an end to violence against children.

The Alava Association for the Deaf has been selected to receive the Culture Grant!

The award consists of an Internet guidance session with a body from the cultural area. A total of 8 organisations put themselves forward for the grant.

The Culture Grant, for which the application process was open until 15th June, has been awarded to the Alava Association for the Deaf (Arabako Pertsona Gorren Elkartea).  Following this, the iWith.org Grant Committee will assess the 9 applications that were eligible for the advisory session, to work out how they can make the most of the opportunities the Internet has to offer and it will agree on these for the Basque organisation. The decision will allow culture to be cultivated amongst deaf people on the Internet, a group which communicates through sign language, but which can equally find an accessible space on the net to be able to browse. 

Amongst the organisations that applied for the grant are Córdoba Acoge, Ojobegi, Teretere Education Centre, Yehudi Menuhin Foundation Spain, Federació d’Entitats Calàbria 66, l’Associació Dones Migrants a Catalunya, Art Lliure, Arabako Gorrak and Afaus Pro Salud Mental. The subject matter of the aformentioned organisations is varied, and ranges from social change via an integrated model directed towards different cultures, to the investigation and production of intangible heritage to education through art.

The Culture Grant, intended for not-for-profit entities, consists of a guidance session carried out by iWith.org and a subsequent report with options on how they can make the most out of the Internet, adapted to the communicative needs of the organisation. In 2015, the grant was awarded to the Guachipelín Foundation and in 2016, to Diversión Solidaria. In the coming months, a new call for grant applications will be made, for entities from another arena, which may be sport, health or science.

Congratulations ARABAKO!

The Alava Association for the Deaf has been selected to receive the Culture Grant!

The award consists of an Internet guidance session with a body from the cultural area. A total of 8 organisations put themselves forward for the grant.

The Culture Grant, for which the application process was open until 15th June, has been awarded to the Alava Association for the Deaf (Arabako Pertsona Gorren Elkartea).  Following this, the iWith.org Grant Committee will assess the 9 applications that were eligible for the advisory session, to work out how they can make the most of the opportunities the Internet has to offer and it will agree on these for the Basque organisation. The decision will allow culture to be cultivated amongst deaf people on the Internet, a group which communicates through sign language, but which can equally find an accessible space on the net to be able to browse. 

Amongst the organisations that applied for the grant are Córdoba Acoge, Ojobegi, Teretere Education Centre, Yehudi Menuhin Foundation Spain, Federació d’Entitats Calàbria 66, l’Associació Dones Migrants a Catalunya, Art Lliure, Arabako Gorrak and Afaus Pro Salud Mental. The subject matter of the aformentioned organisations is varied, and ranges from social change via an integrated model directed towards different cultures, to the investigation and production of intangible heritage to education through art.

The Culture Grant, intended for not-for-profit entities, consists of a guidance session carried out by iWith.org and a subsequent report with options on how they can make the most out of the Internet, adapted to the communicative needs of the organisation. In 2015, the grant was awarded to the Guachipelín Foundation and in 2016, to Diversión Solidaria. In the coming months, a new call for grant applications will be made, for entities from another arena, which may be sport, health or science.

Congratulations ARABAKO!

How can you publicise and share your NGO events?

The organisation of activities, workshops, conferences, courses or seminars is a common everyday task for non-profit organisations. We can tell you about a few tricks to maximise your performance using the tools provided by the internet.

An event is an occurrence of great importance, used by NGOs to share their projects and to publicise information related to their missions. There’s a vast variety of types of events: courses and seminars, conferences, round tables, cineforums, gatherings, walks, photography and art exhibitions, etc... The internet often offers several options for helping share the event and inform the public of the objectives of the organisation. Here, we provide you with some suggestions on how to achieve the best results when sharing your events online.

1) Post your event on your web page and highlight it!

The cover letter of any non-profit organisation is their web page. In this space, they share news and information about themselves with people online - who they are, what they do and how to contact them. Sharing the event on your NGO web page will ensure that internal and external stakeholders will know about your activity. Yet this is not enough - highlight it and pin it on your homepage to attract attention and avoid visitors going crazy looking for it! And finally, geolocalising is also a good option for making the location known.

2) Use the “Events” tool on Facebook!

Social networks are brilliant communication tools for reaching large numbers of people. Facebook allows you to create an event and to perform actions like controlling the turnout, sending reminders about the date of the event, sharing information regarding the event with only those taking part, and gaining higher visibility. Other networks like Twitter and Instagram can also help in sharing the event, in particular, through the proper use of hashtags.
 

3) Send bulletins or newsletter updates to your readers!

Email marketing tools are used for directly reaching the inbox of stakeholders close to your organisation. Creating a bulletin including information about the event - like time, location, guest speakers, or how to sign up - is a quick, simple, and effective way to reach many people who have already been in contact with your NGO.
 

4) Why not design a publicity campaign in Google AdWords?

Google offers a grant programme specifically for non-profit organisations called Google for Nonprofits. Through this programme, NGOs can opt for an advertising grant in Google AdWords to use for sharing their projects and working with SEM on Google. Web users often find information through Google, and coming upon the advert for your event may entice them.
 

5) Collect your organisation’s pictures in an album!

Keeping a photo gallery on your social networks, either through albums or on your web page, is a very powerful visual tool to show how your event went. Through these images, people online can see what happened during the event, and you can share a series of values that can encourage them to join the cause.

If you would like further information regarding how to manage the communication of your event on the internet, you can contact us here.
For organisations managing the Internet Service Platform Abcore Cadí, here you can find all you can do with the events tool.