According to the ngonewsafrica.org, a new nonprofit venture by the name Kopernik, “which is an online store of innovative technologies for the developing world” is accepting proposals from local NGOs in developing countries. Kopernik works to promote technologies in developing countries for leapfrogging development.
In this call for proposals, Kopernik will present with some innovative products such as solar powered products and water purification devices and other technologies accessible to NGOs in developing countries. NGOs have to develop short proposals as to “how they can utilize the products to overcome development challenges.” These proposals will be posted over Kopernik’s website and donations will be collected to fund them. After funds have been collected, the technologies are delivered to NGOs so that they can use them for the purposes defined in their proposals.
The process has been explained step-by-step below:
1. Local NGO completes the registration form for review by Kopernik and becomes a ‘technology seeker’.
2. Technology seeker looks through the attached ‘menu of products’ (soon to be available on-line at http://www.thekopernik.org/).
3. Technology seeker completes proposal for a technology which tell us how the technology will help the communities they work with. Maximum limit for first proposal is USD 5,000.
4. Kopernik posts the proposal on the website and collects donations from individual supporters.
5. Once sufficient funds have been collected, the products are shipped to the technology seeker.
6. The technology seeker implements the proposal and sends a report to Kopernik.
The next deadline to submit proposals is 24 January 2010. The Kopernik’s website itself is expected to be uploaded in late January. However, the contact information to further the process is available at this link.
