NGOs worldwide do not exceed the digital divide

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ICT training program for NGOs in Bangladesh.
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Women are one of the most vulnerable groups within the so-called digital divide.
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There are increasingly computer donation programs for NGOs in vulnerable territories.

The 2018 global survey on the use of NGOs in information technology shows that the Third Sector has not yet made the transition into the digital age, and that Africa and Asia are on the verge.

Africa and Asia are two continents where the technological and digital development of NGOs and the Third Sector is below other organizations in the rest of the world. An aspect of this development, that is as basic as having an Internet presence through a web page, can not yet be considered as an element that has been overcome. Today, 30% of African NGOs and 20% of Asian organizations do not yet have an online presence. South America follows Asia with 12% of their NGOs without an online presence, followed by Europe with 3%, North America with 2% and, finally, Oceania with only 1%. This is illustrated by the latest 2018 data from the global report, 'NGO Global Technology' on the use of NGOs in information technology and published annually by the international Nonprofit Tech for Good organization.

The report deals specifically with aspects of web and email communication, online fundraising tools, social networks, mobile technology, security software, and data management. The results of the report are obtained through a survey that fills thousands of social entities around the world and provides a global vision on the digital development of organizations.

The 2019 survey is currently operational and the results will be published in September in five languages which include: Spanish, English, French, Portuguese and Arabic. The objective of this survey is to understand how non-profit organizations use the technological advances of the Internet to improve their digital capabilities.

From the survey, we find that 92% of global NGOs have a website but their use of digital resources is still well below the potential that they could exploit. For example, only 38% of organizations publish their information on a blog, and 40% of organizations do not take advantage of other tools available on the Internet to promote fundraising campaigns, which include email or the use of donors and collaborators.

The figures in the report indicate that the digital divide is still present in the Third Sector and, in particular, affects organizations located in the most disadvantaged continents.

Thus, the average technological development regarding the use of digital tools is located in the continental scope in this order (from less to more): 55% Africa, 56% Asia and South America, 59% Europe, 70% Oceania and 86% North America.

Nonprofit Tech for Good has partner organizations in 22 countries. These are responsible for disseminating the survey among the entities in their country. In Catalonia, and in Spain, iWith.org is the partner of the project. The 2018 report is based on a survey of more than 5,300 global organizations.