Media Release
14 February 2013
50 NGOs to benefit from technology initiative
Ministry of Social Development and Microsoft launch project to improve technology capability following the Canterbury
earthquakes
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Microsoft New Zealand today announced a joint project in Christchurch to
strengthen the technology capability of 50 not-for-profit organisations – some badly affected by the Canterbury
earthquakes.
MSD and Microsoft are co-funding the initiative, which includes assessing the technology capacity of 50 non-government
organisations (NGOs) and providing practical plans for future improvements.
The assessments and plans will be developed by Infoxchange, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in helping
NGOs make better use of technology.
IT needs were identified by community groups last year as a high priority in the aftermath of the earthquakes – second
only to office premises, says Murray Edridge, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development’s Family and
Community Services division.
”This project is providing the impetus to ensure organisations are able to embrace technology to assist their post-quake
recovery, as well as transform their effectiveness in delivering services,” says Mr Edridge.
Microsoft New Zealand Managing Director Paul Muckleston says supporting NGOs to build their IT capacity is part of
Microsoft’s philanthropic outreach globally.
“The earthquakes caused a significant loss of ICT infrastructure and capability for a number of companies and
not-for-profits within the region, dramatically affecting their ability to deliver critical social services,” says Mr
Muckleston.
Community sustainability is a key focus of Project Lyttelton, one of the groups involved in a pilot of the initiative
last year. Other participating organisations include Family Help Trust; Christchurch Budget Service; Battered Women’s
Trust; Sexual Abuse as Survivors Trust; Supergrans; and Te Puna Oranga.
Project Lyttelton Chairperson Margaret Jefferies says the Infoxchange team gained a “real flavour” of the organisation.
Project Lyttelton’s IT requirements include a database for a Timebank which trades skills in the community.
“They understood our needs and the not-for-profit environment we work in. Ensuring greater IT experience on the project
board is one of the valuable recommendations that we have already implemented,” says Ms Jefferies.
At the launch of the initiative today, other NGOs were encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity for a free
assessment and plan.
Organisations can apply online at: www.infoxchange.org.nz/apply-now. Applications are considered by an Advisory Group consisting of individuals from the Ministry of Social Development,
Microsoft, Infoxchange, Parry Field Charitable Foundation and the University of Canterbury.
ENDS
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people
and businesses realise their full potential.
About Infoxchange
Infoxchange is a not-for-profit community organisation with a mission to create social equality and opportunity by
empowering people through access to information technology and enabling the exchange of information and ideas.