DIRECTORY OF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS
http://www.devdir.org
Last update of this source description: 26 May 2008, current as at 12 October 2011.
Mission/Mandate:
“The directory of development organizations, listing 53,750 development organizations, has been prepared to facilitate international cooperation and knowledge sharing in development work, both among civil society organizations, research institutions, governments and the private sector.“ (Directory Website, http://www.devdir.org, accessed on 26 May 2008)
The website serves as a ”guide to international organisations, government institutions, private sector development agencies, civil society organisations, universities, grant-makers, banks, microfinance institutions and development consulting firms” (Directory – Country Files).
Target group:
The development community, especially civil society organisations, research institutions, governments and the private sector.
Objective:
”The directory aims to promote interaction and active partnerships among governments, private sector and key development organisations in civil society, including NGOs, trade unions, faith-based organizations, indigenous peoples movements, foundations and research centres“ and ”to provide a comprehensive source of reference for development practitioners, researchers, donor employees, and policymakers who are committed to good governance, sustainable development and poverty reduction.“ (Directory Website, http://www.devdir.org, accessed on 26 May 2008)
Funding:
”The directory is a not-for-profit initiative and depends to a large extend on contributions from organizations visiting the site.“ (Directory Website, http://www.devdir.org/faqs.htm#faq9, accessed on 26 May 2008)
Scope of reporting:
Geographic focus: All countries worldwide.
Thematic focus: Institutional information for a particular region and countries of this region; the guide contains a list of international organisations, government institutions, private sector development agencies, civil society organisations, universities, grant-makers, banks, microfinance institutions and development consulting firms in the particular region/country.
Reporting methodology:
Bert Wesselink, development economist and creator of the directory, gathers information mainly from publicly available sources on the Internet, including organisations' websites; organisations fulfilling general criteria of “promoting good governance, sustainable development and poverty reduction“ may inform the directory to be added to the list of development organisations in the respective country/region in the next up-date of the directory (Directory Website, http://www.devdir.org/faqs.htm#faq7, accessed on 26 May 2008).
“For easier referencing, the directory has been divided into 6 geographical sections: Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania.“ (Directory Website, http://www.devdir.org, accessed on 26 May 2008)
“For each of the regions contacts have been annotated by the following 9 categories: (1) international organizations; (2) government institutions; (3) private sector support organizations (including fairtrade); (4) finance institutions; (5) training and research centres; (6) civil society organizations; (7) development consulting firms (including references to job opportunities and vacancy announcements); (8) information providers (development newsletters/journals); and, (9) grantmakers.“ (Directory Website, http://www.devdir.org, accessed on 26 May 2008)
Publication cycle:
The directories are up-dated irregularly, “as soon as sufficient data have been gathered or received from organizations that would justify an updated version of the directory files“, but at least once a year (Directory Website, http://www.devdir.org/faqs.htm#faq8, accessed on 26 May 2008).
Languages:
English; French; Spanish.
Navigation of website:
Home: Regional chapters downloadable via menu on right-hand side; each regional site contains PDF documents of the whole region and of the single countries.