CDRN Citizen Engagement: Project Overview

The Community Development Resource Network (CDRN) is a local, independent nongovernmental organization operating in Uganda. It was founded in 1994 to support community development through participatory techniques and to assist organizations involved in such work to be more effective in meeting their mandates. CDRN also recognizes the importance of influencing policies and decisions in the environment within which Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operate.

Over the past several years, Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become increasingly relevant to citizen engagement. This relevance applies to both the developed and developing worlds. Applications like “Open for Questions” in the United States and “Governador Pergunta” in Brazil give citizens a greater say in government decisions. The result is increased transparency, and a community culture where citizens advocate for services they need, and governments deliver those services more effectively.

While ICT promises increased engagement, it can be difficult to sustain participation over time.

This  project will analyze the critical factors required for sustained ICT-facilitated citizen engagement, and build a supporting strategy that helps CDRN effectively integrate technology into their consulting processes.