Part of Alternatives’ work is to develop civil society portals in areas of conflict, with the aim of giving a voice to local organisations.
In 2003, together with more than 300 local partners, Alternatives launched a portal in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project empowers local civil society groups to present and promote their activities and perspectives, which is particularly important in the current period, where civil society is taking an ever-increasing role in defending the principles that can support long-term peace in the region.
The strength of partnership, its credibility at a local level, and its capacity to intervene quickly within the population makes the portal initiative a significant factor in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the Congo. Alternative’s strategy involves connectivity facilitation, training of trainers, and organisational capacity development in computers and communications strategies for NGOs, so that the portal partners are equipped to technically and politically manage the portal after Alternatives’ handover.
A similar program is currently being developed in Afghanistan.
