Deshpande Foundation Grant, Communication Network Programming

We are a graduate/undergraduate group from USC looking to get quotes concerning the cost of programming the communication network we are creating. The goal is the to help NGOs in Karnataka India communicate. Our application for the Deshpande Foundation Grant is due 3/22/08 and we need our quotes for the application. The budget has a possible range of $5,000-$20,000. If it is accepted, the work will need to be finished by June 2008. STEP 1 (WE NEED QUOTES CONCERNING THE PROGRAMMING OF THIS NETWORK) • Website must be programmed • Each NGO will have a profile or home page o It will include an overview of the local region • Show location on map o Contact information o Mission statement o Current projects and a description o Ability to upload file • Pictures • Documents o Every “project” and “uploaded file” will be able to be tagged with key word • For example facebook application “MatchYard” o Comments and a discussion board o Links The idea is that this will be programmed mostly before June of this year. We will go over the to train people at the NGOs and to help the get started using it. This will help maintain accuracy and set a president for the level of detail NGOs should provide. Also, by adding information to the network we add value. STEP 2 • We go to India and help upload accurate information about the regions and the NGOs into our network STEP 3 • Pitch the program to NGOs o Without an in person presence to catalyze use we do not believe the full value of this network will be developed. It is important the initial users set a precedent for the others in terms of how they view our network’s utility • Train NGO personnel so that they can maintain the NGO’s page o Also train them to use communication tools so that they can contact other NGOs through the network • We may to buy them computers if they do not already have them STEP 4 • Research o How the program can be improved for its use within NGOs? o Are there any tools we need to add? o How can this information best be distributed for individual use?