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Engaging NGOs in geospatial initiatives
using FOSS4G for improved
development work at various scales
Marc Delgado and Frank Canters
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
BELGIUM
Grassroots-led real-time disaster reporting
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=115956470311312588880.000474a230d17e01a3021&ie=UT%20F8&z=13
NGOs in the Philippines
• 1986: Return of democratic government• 1992: UN Conference on Environment and Development
• Over 3,000 NGOs (2007 estimate)
• Working Themes- Poverty reduction- Political reform advocacy- Environmental management
NGOs have started using Geospatial
Technologies, but its use is hampered by:
Lack of technical skills.
Sustaining financial resources.
FOSS4G as a way to face these challenges!
Case study from 3 Projects
National:
Poverty mapping
Institutional:
Targeting sites for water taps
Community:
Natural resource management
Framework of the Projects
Researcher
NGO PO
Community
GIS InnovationSkills training
Local Knowledge, data gathering
Research ExperienceCommunity trustFunding sources
Administrative supportAccess to national databasesFunding sources
Participatory GIS (PGIS)
• Integration of local knowledge and stakeholders’ perspectives in GIS.
• The core of PGIS is participation through trainings and other capacity-building activities.
• Local stakeholders as true owners and stewards of spatial information and its management.
FOSS4G tools used
Digitization of paper maps:Wintopo version 1.7
Management of GPS data:DNR-Garmin version 5.4.1
GIS-based activities:Mapwindow GIS ver 4.6
Easy to use?
78 % Yes
88% Yes
82% Yes
22% No
12% No
18% No
Scaling the Projects
Number ofStakeholders
Geographic extent
Institutional
Community
National10 GIS users
6 GIS users
2 GIS users
Basic characteristics of our stakeholders:-Non-geographers.-Low to medium computer users (Windows-based).-Development workers facing real-world problems.
Scaling the issues: Building FOSS4G skills with trainings
Institutional
Community
National
Man hours in a month
1500 hours
600 hours
240 hours
Duration of trainings (man hours)
Scaling the issues: Data requirements and accessibility
Primary data(Survey, interviews, etc.)
InstitutionalCommunity National
Secondary Data (from journals, publications, etc.)
National Census databases
Maps in digital format
Non-existence of spatial data infrastructure make it difficult to acquire maps!re
d-tape
Funding for GIS projects is crucial.
Doh.-Homer Simpson
Project Budget: Business as usual scenario
Hardware Costs 30%
Data acquisition& processing
30%
Training & data Management
5%
Software costs35%
Software costs takes up 30-35%
Training and data management gets the least
priority.
Project Budget: Using FOSS4G scenario
Hardware Costs30%
Data acquisition& processing
30%
Data Management
15%
Training25%
Focus on training of potential users.
Data management is separately funded.
Sustainability of projects is extended as costs are re-directed to
building capacity.
Scaling the issues: Sustainability
Institutional
Community
National
Years
2 years
1 year
Planned duration of the projects (without FOSS4G)
6 months
Scaling the issues: Sustainability
Institutional
Community
National
Years
4th year
2nd year
Current duration of the projects (with FOSS4G)
28th month
Lessons Learned
1. Geospatial requirements vary in terms of:- skills-training requirements.- data requirements and acquisition.- sustainability.
2. The use if FOSS4G tools can help sustain the projects by - minimising costs on software.- re-focusing efforts on training and data management.
Lessons Learned
3. Building spatial data infrastructures is important to access to spatial information.
4. Funding sources to support GIT work is crucial, but using FOSS4G can be used as a leverage when applying for financial support.
5. Sustainability of GIT Projects rely on commitment of stakeholders, not just on the availability of FOSS4G tools.
