DENIVA membership comprises representatives from NGOs and CBOs in Uganda; international organisations are eligible for associate membership. ICTs are central to this network from a strategic standpoint. Motivated to take advantage of the information exchange opportunities offered by DENIVA, member organisations have taught themselves to use modern technology, where available, to speed their work and increase its scope. All members are expected to contribute to the running of the DENIVA website website (and other communication services such as ISP, telephone, and computer maintenance). DENIVA supports the creation of networks of CSOs by, for example, providing them with access to the Internet.

Using these technologies, DENIVA undertakes activities focussing on strengthening the capacity of members to manage information; improving access to information on poverty and other development issues; improving research into development information; strengthening resource centres; localising advocacy issues of a global nature; campaigning for pro-people policies; and increasing dialogue with other development stakeholders.

Specifically, the activities of the organisation fall into the following programme areas:

In addition, DENIVA has entered into a partnership with the Ford Foundation that is designed to strengthen local governance through civil society organisations. The project will work to enhance the understanding and capacity of CSOs in four selected districts (Katakwi district in Eastern Uganda, Ntungamo District in Western Uganda, Rakai District in Central Uganda, and Gulu District in Northern Uganda). A key focus will be the building of relationships between CSOs and local government leaders, as well as the communication of these experiences for the purposes of education, advocacy, and lobbying on the part of other organisations pursuing similar work. Activities will include planning meetings, appraisal of CSO status, workshops to analyse decentralisation policies, public dialogues on good governance, training sessions for CSOs, media involvement, exchange visits, and research.

Technology, Networking, Economic Development, Local Governance.

The ability of DENIVA to take advantage of electronic communication with members is constrained by the lack of ICT facilities and user capacity in most of themember organisations. Although DENIVA has several offices with personal computers (PCs), only 1 PC is connected to email. Of their membership, only around half have email addresses; some of these may be accessing email via cyber cafes. Some members are now beginning to create web sites, but the cost is prohibitive for most.

According to organisers, ongoing government efforts aimed at improving communications infrastructure in remote rural areas will improve the ability of member organisations to benefit from DENIVA's efforts.