Content Development

Web content about Azerbaijan, both in terms of the quality and extent of information in Azeri as well as quality information about Azerbaijan in English and Russian and possibly other languages needs to be developed. There are few Web sites about Azerbaijan, whether in the Azerbaijan domain or otherwise. The number of interactive web resources with local content and in Azeri is very low. There are few web development groups, which are working on this kind of project but these initiatives are poorly organized and not enough focused. The most active one is “Azer.net” web development group. The number of web sites related to the regions of Azerbaijan, entertainment web sites and interactive web content tools created by Azer.net. Also the valuable number of web project developed by NICTS.

OSI-AF’s activity
During the whole period of development web content project by Information Program of OSI-AF/Azerbaijan the number of projects are started:

• Internet Start Up Kit – Project aimed to help individuals and organization to create and publish Azerbaijani content on the Net. As a result of this project more than 60 web sites create and hosted by OSI-AF. The list of the web site can be found at http://www.osi-az.org/links.shtml
  
• AzerWeb – The biggest NGO portal of Azerbaijan. The main goal of this project is to give to NGOs ability to publish information about their activity on daily basis. More than 300 local and international organizations are registered on AzerWeb The basic purpose of AzerWeb project is development and maintenance of services, which purpose is illumination of activity of local and foreign non-governmental organizations in Azerbaijan. Successfully functioning, AzerWeb became one of the most popular and visited sites of the local and foreign non-governmental organizations. There are up to 200 users per day, which means the importance of a role it executes.
  Within the framework of expansion and increase of services the teamwork with portal Gateway carry out. The connection with the not governmental organizations (Mercy Corps, AYLU, and so on) and the state structures (the State Statistical Committee) set up as well for the useful information publication for NGO.
  
• Web content projects, such as www.saznet.org - Azerbaijan web resources directory, webmail.aznet.org – free mail server for IRTC users, forum.aznet.org – Public forum, etc. was created by Web Content Development team of Information Program.
  
• Web Content Development project is aimed to provide free hosting for NGOs and humanitarian content. 30 MB free space, e-mail account as well as free access to Web Laboratory equipped with all required equipment and software provided to encourage interested people to develop web content.
  
• Localization projects– Two projects (Azerbaijan Font Converter [http://convert.aznet.org], Azerbaijan Language on the Net [http://www.azlang.info]) created to help local web masters to use Azerbaijani language.

Future activities
The main directions of web content development are:

Creation and development interactive web content for main program target groups: NGOs, Academic institutions, Schools and Government.

Development of ICT tools aimed to activate information exchange among local and international NGOs as well as among non-profit sector and all related business and governmental initiatives.
During the implementation of this part of the project NGO web portal Azerweb will be enlarged by number of relatively small parts, which will focus on covering particular sectors (Gender, Human Rights, Education, Health, etc.) of NGO activity. Taking into consideration the number of organization registered on AzerWeb this can be considered as a next step of development of the project, which allows working more focused with particular groups of issue oriented NGOs.
Working with issue-based network will increase efficiency of realization of their specific goals. Integration of issue mapping tools and methodology with AzerWeb will enhance NGOs capacity to collaborate, organize or mount campaigns.

eRider project - Technical support and consultation for NGOs aimed to help each organization to develop and implement an information and communications technology (ICT) strategy tailored to its unique aims, needs, and context. During the first year of the implementation of the project 3 eRiders will works with 30 local NGOs to:

• Providing tools and assistance to improve work standards, staff skill on management and performance of local NGOs that will be tailored to their aims, mission and goals.
• Development of training materials for NGO on different topics.
  
• Development of common standards for information exchange among NGOs.
  
• Consolidation of all bodies and organizations, working with NGOs.

Goals mentioned above will be achieved through providing ICT consultations and trainings to non-profits and through creation of a web resource for non-profits.
There are several ways to approach to NGOs with ICT consultancy. One is to gather selected NGOs and conduct trainings/seminars.
Activities:

• Assessment of IT needs
• Development of training resources
• Development of common environmental standards for information exchange
• Development of basic information security recommendations

Providing free web services for NGOs. Web Content Development project will continue to provide free web space for NGOs. Hosting system will be improved by adding more functionality.

Implementation and popularization of Free/Libre and Open Source Software among NGOs, Schools and Universities.

Localization and creation web tools and desktop software.
Projects tailored to translate popular desktop software (Office programs and operating system) and free web tools into Azerbaijani will be implemented. During this projects Software Kit CD for different group of beneficiaries (NGOs, Government, Schools) will be created. Free web tools and desktop software on Azerbaijani will be published on the Net.

Web content in Azeri and about Azerbaijan, developed by Azeris will increase. There will be Web portals of interest to the beneficiaries of this project.

During the whole period of its implementation, the project will establish and maintain a strong public awareness/public relations policy by publication and dissemination of informational materials and newsletters, publications (including Internet)/broadcast in the media, presentations, etc. The Web will be used for this purpose as well.