NGO-in-a-box is a physical box of CDs consisting of a complimentary set of peer-reviewed and selected Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) solutions tailored to the needs of not-for-profit, non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The publisher, Tactical Technology Collective (TTC), indicates that each thematic edition of NGO-in-a-box is shaped by a team of practitioners who seek to provide organisations not only with the software they need in relation to a given topic, but also with the relevant implementation scenarios and materials to support this. Its primary goal is to increase the accessibility of F/OSS to non-profits in developing and transition countries by reducing the selection and testing process, cutting download barriers and providing tailored solutions. According to the TTC, NGOs have begun to consider F/OSS solutions for their potential financial advantages, adaptability and security benefits. NGOs that choose an open-source solution do, however, face problems that fall into two main categories:

1. Effects on developing and transition countries
2. Effects on non-profits

Developing and transition countries may be affected by download problems, language barriers and a general lack of knowledge on how to implement free and open source solutions. Additionally, pirated versions of proprietary software may be considered cheap alternative to F/OSS solutions in some countries. Non-profits themselves may face implementation and maintenance issues. The authors explain that "many F/OSS solutions address very technical needs and are often developed by geeks for geeks". The TTC states that NGO-in-a-box helps mitigate these problems by:

• Easing distribution problems by providing a selection of appropriate software in a single easily distributable package
• Making software selection easier by providing a pre-selected set of software already reviewed and recommended by other NGOs
• Providing access to additional materials that support implementation

The NGO-in-a-box package was first created at the 2003 Summer Source workshop, where participants helped select which products would become part of the package. The TTC states that users of NGO-in-a-box cite the following benefits:

• they could carry it with them to NGOs and copy when necessary;
• all of the tools were used before by peers from the known community of the workshop;
• for the participants it was an updated collection of tools in one place that could be applied to different circumstances as a product and thus allowed to promote F/OSS within the groups they work with.

A second version was released in March 2004. In 2005, the project entered a new stage, implementing a new approach to the way NGO-in-a-box editions are designed, distributed, and revised. Whereas in the past every new edition of NGO-in-a-box is was developed by an editorial team made up of trainers, practitioners and experts working in a specific area, TTC is working to establish local hubs - distribution and development points run in cooperation with partner organisations, whose main responsibility is to measure needs and respond to demands by assembling and maintaining versions of the boxes that are localised (both in terms of language and contents). An online communication process that presents the contents of the boxes and allows for the gathering of suggestions and feedback from users and contributors is also in development. Along these lines, in order to keep the product current and adapt to changing and regional user needs, the TTC recommends establishing "a community of regional point people" to review use and make recommendations on how to adapt the box to suit the needs of their users.

Click here to access a concept paper related to this resource (in PDF format).