ruralnet|uk news

Capacity Building in Progress!

Networks Online relaunches with a new interface.

Networks Online, the collaborative ICT network provided by ruralnet|uk has been relaunched. A capacity building grant from the Active Communities Directorate has enabled ruralnet|uk to radically overhaul its online services.

This has allowed ruralnet|uk to make its service simpler, easier to access and more effective. This will benefit over 4,000 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) customers by simplifying access to the capacity building resources contained within the network.

Capacitybuilders Grant to Help Rural Communities

It’s a great start to the year for Rural Regeneration Charity, ruralnet|uk who have secured £96,000 grant funding from Government body, ‘Capacitybuilders'.

The funding will be used to provide isolated rural communities with the expertise and support to use ICT to build capacity and overcome isolation.

In partnership with the ‘Teesdale Village Hall Consortium’, the programme will initially benefit 33 community groups. It will then be promoted on a national basis through further partnerships.

Regeneration Sector Acquitted at ruralnet|2006

The closing session of the ruralnet|2006 conference once again demonstrated the innovative nature of this event.

Professor Michael Dower, University of Gloucestershire and Gordon Morris, a freelance writer and researcher took on the role of council for defence and prosecution respectively. In a 40 minute court room drama they eloquently argued a case where rural regeneration agencies were charged with:"Exaggerating the issue of rural deprivation".

Hebditch to Address ruralnet|2006

Simon Hebditch, CEO of Capacitybuilders, will address the Rural Development Conference, ruralnet|2006, in Nottinghamshire on 11 October.

As opening keynote speaker at this important annual event, Simon will be outlining his vision for how Capacitybuilders will be supporting the rural voluntary sector. In the light of the recent review of the National Hubs, this plenary session is expected to be of particular interest to the media and delegates alike.

Top Marks for net:gain Pathfinder Workshops

First pathfinder workshop sessions hit the spot for delegates on the net:gain programme.

net:gain is an innovative programme, designed to bring about a step-change in the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) capability of the voluntary and community sector (VCS). It helps CEOs and decision-makers to take a practical, appropriate and informed approach to ICT strategic planning and support.

The first phase of net:gain was a series of pathfinder workshops designed to test the delivery and content of the programme. An evaluation of feedback shows that delegates awarded more than 4 out of 5 across every category. These included: meeting their expectations of the programme, their response to materials, the trainers’ knowledge and style, and the net:gain centres facilities and booking processes.

VCS organisations try out collaborative tools for effective event planning

The I-See-T collaboration project continued with its first Hands-on workshop exploring the use of a variety of web based tools to help with planning and reporting ‘effective & efficient events’.

During the workshop attendees learnt more about the different online tools available and tried out some of these tools. The afternoon was devoted to starting weblogs (or ‘blogs’) that can be used, amongst many other things, to quickly and easily publicise and report on events.

Centres across England Awarded with net:gain Funding

Second stage funding to deliver the net:gain programme has been announced today to 14 UK online centres across England.

Adding to the 16 centres already awarded funds during stage 1 selection proceeding, a total of 30 centres spread across all 9 Government Office regions of England will receive support to deliver net:gain.

Newly onboard are centres from the North-West, East of England and Yorkshire and Humberside.

This support initiative will enable these centres to help local Voluntary and Community Organisations to develop and implement strategic plans for ICT effectively through a simple, hands-on approach. 

Open Invitation to Give Voluntary Sector Organisations a Taste for Collaboration

Workshops and a website are now available to Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations who wish to try out some online tools for collaboration.  This support is provided through the I-See-T project.  See www.ruralnetuk.org/collaboration

I-See-T is a project exploring Information & Communications Technology for collaboration in the voluntary and community sector.  It is run by ruralnet|uk and is open to rural and non-rural organisations.

Free workshops
Free places on two taster workshops in Warwickshire (1st March) and London (6th March) are available to book now.  The taster workshops will give attendees a chance to find out how technology can help with collaborative working.  Novices are especially welcome - the tools being showcased -  including shared calendars, ‘weblogs’ and news feeds are there to help, not hinder!

The workshops will include a technology ‘jargon-busting’ session and demonstration zone where some of the tools will be in action.  During the project, the participants will be able to share their experience, and advantages and potential pitfalls of using ICT for collaboration.

net:gain First Stage Funding Winners announced

From rural Teesdale in the North East to Newport on the Isle of Wight, 16 UK Online centres across England have been selected as the very first to receive funding under the net:gain programme.  This innovative support initiative will enable these centres to help local Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) put a firm foot forward with their future ICT planning and developments. Whilst the programme is funded overall by the Home Office’s ChangeUp programme, the development grants are from Ufi, a net:gain partner. A full list of winners is at www.net-gain.org.uk.

Traidcraft confirmed as Conference Dinner Sponsors

ruralnet|uk is pleased to announce that fairtrade produce suppliers, Traidcraft are sponsoring the ruralnet|2005 conference dinner.

As the UK’s leading fair trade organisation, Traidcraft works with more than 100 producer groups in over 30 countries around the world.  Traidcraft has been helping producers from poor communities to work their way out of poverty since 1979.  They do this through trading with them directly, by supporting them with training and information, and by influencing the policy makers to pull down the barriers which stop the poor enjoying their fair share of world trade.

Traidcraft will support the event by supplying the venue with fairly traded wine and juice for all delegates attending the evening reception.