Innovation Lab

Janani

Open source crowdsourcing and citizen engagement platform for social accountability & improved governance

Janani enables social accountability and governance programs run by local civil society organizations (CSOs). The platform helps CSOs engage citizens in an effort to solve community problems, improve service delivery, and address systemic issues.

Built on Drupal. Currently in closed beta. Open source distribution to be released on completion of the closed beta. More information and latest news at janani.appropriateit.org.

Shakthi

Youth engagement platform for lifelong learning and social action in a fun and playful environment

Shakthi enables lifelong learning in a fun and playful environment. With a closed social network and built-in gamification, it is ideal for engaging youth and creating communities of purpose.

Built on Wordpress. Currently in closed beta. Available as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. More information and latest news at shakthi.appropriateit.org.

Citizen Action Platform

Monitoring, reporting, & resolving issues in health care service delivery for anticorruption and transparency in Uganda

Information and communications technology (ICTs) can amplify the voice of citizens and empower them to confront corruption on a much larger scale. Use text messages (SMS) and geo-mapping tools to provide powerful information to policy makers and media.

Citizen Action Platform is a project built on alpha version of Janani and implemented in partnership with Partnership for Transparency Fund (PTF) & Anti-Corruption Coalition of Uganda (ACCU).

Krishi Janani

Ag tech network for organic & sustainable farming in India

Krishi Janani is an ag tech network (online platform + young women-led rural ag tech centers) that enables organic and sustainable farming in India. It provides farmers localized information, knowledge network and market access as an affordable subscription service.

Krishi Janani is a project built on beta version of Janani. Current partners include Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation (SKCRF) in India.

Web & Mobile App Development

Designing and developing open source information & communication technologies for development (ICT4D)

The Lab develops custom, multi-lingual solutions on an open source foundation incorporating technologies such as text messaging and mapping. Ideally, we seek to build innovative solutions that can solve long-standing social issues while also having the potential for cross-functional and cross-sectoral applications.

The Lab has extensive experience working in resource-constrained environments. We specialize in building culturally-appropriate and context-sensitive technology solutions.

Also dabbling in

Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), Drones/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Wearable Devices, Artificial Intelligence…

The Lab is currently developing:

• expertise in utilizing social media sentiment analysis, natural language processing, and other big data tools for new insights into social issues such as public health and citizen well-being.
• an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) in partnership with expert robotic scientists. it has the capability of flying two kilometers with a payload of ten kilograms. it will be utilized in imaging and mapping projects.
• proficiency in using IP-enabled objects, also called Internet of Things (IoT), to send, receive, and convey information.