How websites can support civil society organizations

Civil society has traditionally been defined as a “third sector” that operates independently of Government or businesses. Organizations operating as civil society organizations (CSOs) usually promote the interest of citizens including freedom of speech, universal human rights, healthcare, education, housing and rule of law.

Websites can help CSOs work better in several ways. Here are the top five benefits that we believe improve the work of CSOs.

Give voice

As representatives of citizens, CSOs are always finding ways in which to gather views from massive numbers of people, and share these views with Governments and businesses.

Websites are real estate on the web. Having a place to showcase citizen views online gives CSOs a strategic advantage for the long term – it ensures that these views are widely accessible and easily searchable.

Tips for giving voice:

• Use text as much as possible, because text is readable by search engines like Google.
• When using images or video, use the meta-data fields like Alternative Text to give search engines information about your visual media.
• Where you have permission, source citizen views with a contact point or link.

Build bridges

While CSOs have traditionally been regarded to be independent of Government and businesses, it’s not actually possible to operate without the Government or business.

In fact, Governments also invest in businesses, and many businesses are involved with Government work.

The most productive CSOs today actively build bridges with all actors in an economy. After all, a citizen’s daily life involves buying products and services, accessing public goods, and paying tax.

Websites help CSOs from a public relations perspective because they they provide CSOs with a platform to share bridge-building content that can include Governments, businesses and any other actors in an economy.

Giving recognition to these various actors allows CSOs to position themselves as a uniting party.

Tips for building bridges:

• Do your research on what other institutions are doing to advance your goals.
• Write concept papers on how various institutions can work together to achieve your goals.
• Publish these concept papers on your website with links to the institutions.

Strengthen networks

Directories are a fantastic, easy way in which websites are helping people come together today. CSOs already meet and archive contacts for various people and institutions they need to work with. Putting these contacts onto website with their permission so they can connect with one-another is a simple next step.

Tips for strengthening networks:

• Think about a strong purpose to bring people together online.
• Get consent to share their contact information on a secure platform on your website, either public or private.
• Regularly build content on your website to bring network participants together to discuss common topics.

Promote research

We regard research as a public good. In collecting wide ranges of opinions from citizens, CSOs develop a strong research base.

When and where it is possible, we recommend sharing this research out into the public using your own website or third-party publishing platforms.

Tips for promoting research:

• Use blog-publishing frameworks in order to archive each research project seperately on your website.
• Include links to various people and institutions you mention in your research.
• Share a link to your research on other digital platforms to improve readership and engagement.

Attract funding

Let’s face it – funders and investors are more likely to spend money on people and organizations they know about.

Not all organizations with the best ideas get money. This is because their awareness campaigns have not managed to reach the right funders.

A CSO website can attract funding quickly if it is designed with civil society in mind and is frequently updated with new initiatives, research, and results.

Tips for attracting funding:

• Write articles on your website about your newest findings and ensure they are good findings!
• Provide easy steps on your website to donate or invest in your organization.
• Include a link to your website on all your marketing material including business cards, newsletters and reports.

To celebrate Nyerere Day and prepare for CSO Week in Tanzania, Chapa Link is offering 20% off all new .or.tz websites signed up between 14th to 31st October 2021.

For us, civil society is critical for social, economic and political improvement. We hope CSOs will use this article to start to improve their website in order to do their work better.