Guides for NGOs

Practical guides from our projects, for NGOs and international organisations. Each one answers a question we are asked often, in plain words, and points to the tools and case studies behind it.

Data protection

• Does an NGO need a DPO?: Does your NGO have to appoint a data protection officer under the GDPR? The three triggers, what large scale means in aid work, and your options. 8 min read.
• Faut-il un DPO dans une association ou une ONG ? (In French): Une association ou une ONG doit-elle désigner un délégué à la protection des données ? Les trois cas du RGPD, la notion de grande échelle et vos options. 8 min read.
• DPIA for NGOs: when you need one, how to do it, and a template: A practical guide to the data protection impact assessment (DPIA) for NGOs and humanitarian organisations, with a free template to download and fill in. 11 min read.

Operations

• ERP for NGOs: a buyer’s guide: ERP for NGOs: what it must do that business software does not, the modules to look for, what it costs, and the data protection checks before you sign. 12 min read.
• How to set up a complaints and feedback mechanism (CFM): How to set up a complaints and feedback mechanism (CFM or FCRM) for an NGO: channels, sensitive complaints, case handling, data protection and what to measure. 11 min read.
• Cash and voucher assistance: what a CVA system must do: What a cash and voucher assistance (CVA) system must do for an NGO: registration, deduplication, payments, reconciliation, monitoring and data protection. 10 min read.
• Humanitarian case management systems: how to choose one: How to choose a humanitarian case management system for protection, child protection or GBV work: what it must do, who sees what, options and data protection. 11 min read.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Monitoring and evaluation tools for NGOs: where each one fits: A plain comparison of monitoring and evaluation tools for NGOs: KoboToolbox, ActivityInfo, LogAlto, Power BI, spreadsheets and ERP modules, and how to choose. 10 min read.
• How to build a Power BI dashboard from KoboToolbox data: How to connect KoboToolbox to Power BI and build a live dashboard: form design, the export link, repeat groups, the data model, refresh and data protection. 9 min read.

AI

• AI policy for NGOs: what to include and how to write it: How to write an AI policy for an NGO: scope, approved tools, data rules, human accountability, review of use cases, and the frameworks that help. Two pages are enough. 10 min read.
• Humanitarian chatbots: when to build one and how: A practical guide to humanitarian chatbots: when one helps, rule-based or AI, which messaging app, low-literacy design, guardrails, human handover and data protection. 10 min read.

Reference

• Glossary of data, ERP, MEAL and AI terms for NGOs: A plain glossary for NGO staff: data protection, ERP and operations, MEAL and information management, and AI terms, each in a sentence or two, with links to our guides. 8 min read.

Our services

• Information Management & MEAL: Shared indicators, field surveys and evaluations.
• Mobile, Web Dev & Maintenance: Apps that keep running after launch.
• AI & Interactive Tools: Chatbots, voice tools and the rules around them.
• Privacy & Cybersecurity: Data protection reviews, fixes and staff training.
• Capacity Building & Training: Curricula, simulations and e-learning for responders.

Our products

• Relief One: A modular ERP for social impact organisations: finance, grants, HR, projects and more.
• DP4G: Data protection for good: an external DPO, audits and a portal for NGOs.