Research

Explore the findings from research projects into the ICT needs of the voluntary and community sector.

This research looks into the take up of, and attitudes to, ICT as well as research into the funding needs of the sector.

We are always interested in new research into ICT in the voluntary and community sector, please contact us to submit your own research findings.

Managing ICT

Use of ICT in Lambeth Voluntary and Community Organisations (May 2006)

Findings from an ICT survey of Lambeth voluntary and community organisations. Research by The Community Technology Project.

Download report into the use of ICT in Lambeth voluntary and community organisations (PDF 144 KB)

IT Infrastructure in the Voluntary and Community Sector (2005/2006)

Survey findings in to the use of ICT in the voluntary and community sector. Research by Paul Secular and Lucie Harris, YouthNet and Dr Simon Davey, preponderate.net.

IT Infrastructure in the Voluntary and Community Sector (PDF 412 KB)

Delivering ICT support

Specialist Infrastructure Development Project (March 2008)

Commissioned projects developed by 6 national specialist infrastructure organisations to further improve the reach of ICT Hub materials nationally. The key findings and learning are contained within the individual reports.

Arts (Word 126 KB)
BME (Word 86 KB)
Faith (Word 113 KB)
Homelessness (Word 100 KB)
Hospices (Word 77 KB)
LGBT (Word 130 KB)

In search of cost effective ICT services for the third sector - Is social enterprise the solution? (April 2008)

Report commissioned by the ICT Hub to look at social enterprise as a model for delivering ICT support within the voluntary and community sector.

Download social enterprise report (PDF 336 KB)

Sustainable Technical Support Research, GMCVO (January 2007)

An investigation into sustainable technical support projects in England and possible sources of funders. Research by Pauline Baker, GMCVO.

Download sustainble technical support reaserch (Word 53 KB)

Supporting information: Download iT4Communities report on the value of pro bono ICT support (Word 110 KB)

Circuit Rider Project Evaluation (March 2007)

Report studying the Lasa Circuit Rider Project, set up in May 2005 to support voluntary and community organisations in building their ICT capacity. Research by David Garner, ADP Consultancy.

Download Circuit Rider Evaluation report (PDF 316 KB)

ICT support to voluntary and community groups by London Councils for Voluntary Service (2006)

Overview of ICT support provided by the seven Central London CVS as part of the London ChangeUp ICT Project. Research by Clare Cowen, Central London ChangeUp ICT Project.

Download ICT support to voluntary and community groups report (PDF 124 KB)

Results of survey of volunteering effort (November 2006)

Report summarising a survey of volunteers, volunteering through iT4Communities. Research by Glenn Williams, independent consultant.

Download results of survey of volunteering effort (PDF 20 KB)

The Social Enterprise Potential for Superhighways (2005)

Study exploring the the viability of adopting a social enterprise model of operation for an existing ICT project. Research by Hilary Chisnall, CRE8ive.

Download Exploring the Social Enterprise Potential For Superhighways 2004/2005 - Hilary Chisnall (PDF 211 KB)

Funding ICT

Sources of Funders Research (Jan 2007, updated March 2008)

This research has sourced and increased the original list of funders that fund ICT. Also included are appendices, including a spreadsheet of the full list of funders, a more in-depth background about these funders and a funding checklist.

Please note that in updating this research, the original funders have not been re-checked, just added to. It is always advisable to thoroughly check individual guidance from funders before making an application.

The inclusion of funders in this research does not guarantee that they will fund your ICT project or initiative.

Download Sources of Funders report (PDF 168 KB)

The appendices that compliment the report are useful documents for any organisation keen to start sourcing possible ICT funders.

Appendix A - Spreadsheet of funders who fund ICT (Excel 67 KB)
Appendix B - Full details of funders from Appendix A (PDF 709 KB)
Appendix C - Community Foundations - list of examples of ICT-related awards (PDF 35 KB)
Appendix D - Fundraising Checklist (PDF 26 KB)
Appendix E - Useful Resources (PDF 44 KB)

ICT Hub / WCIT Funding Research (2006)

In Feb 2006 the Information Technologists' Livery Company and the ICT Hub undertook a survey of voluntary and community sector organisations to gain a fuller understanding of the sector's experience of seeking funding for ICT.

Download WCIT funding research (PDF 2.15 MB)

Charity Finance IT survey (2005 - 2008)

Provides comparative data on IT budgets and budget allocations, staffing levels, software packages, outsourcing issues, governance concerns and security.

Charity Finance IT Survey 2008

Charity Finance IT Survey 2007

Download the 2006 Charity Finance IT survey (PDF 968 KB)

Download the 2005 Charity Finance IT survey (PDF 529 KB)

ICT accessibility

AbilityNet State of the eNation report (2006)

Since 2003 AbilityNet has published a widely acclaimed quarterly 'State of the eNation' report, each one focussing on a different online sector. AbilityNet test representative websites for practical accessibility and usability.

A special report has been written, focussing on the accessibility of the Beijing Olympics website. Read the report online at www.abilitynet.org.uk/enation99.

All of the "State of the eNation" reports can be downloaded from the AbilityNet website

ICT Hub Accessibility Research (2006)

Invaluable reading if you are concerned about accessibility and want to know what is happening in the sector.

Download accessibility research (PDF 413 KB)

Software and hardware

Shared systems research (March 2008)

The ICT Hub commissioned this research looking at "shared systems" being developed and used within the voluntary and community sector. The report looks at specific examples of shared systems being used around the country, their route to inception and key learning from the organisations involved.

(In this report shared systems have been defined as pieces of hardware or software, developed and used by more than one voluntary and community organisation, for the same purpose or purposes and mutual benefit.)

Download the ICT Hub shared systems report (PDF 264 KB)

Corporate Product Needs of the Sector (March 2008)

This authoritative independent research document has been commissioned by the ICT Hub to study software options for the voluntary and community sector.

Introductory Report (PDF 201 KB)
Full Report (PDF 1.8 MB)
- Section 1 : Fundraising Products (PDF 104 KB)
- Section 2 : Financial Management Products (PDF 394 KB)
- Section 3 : Contact Management Solutions (PDF 351 KB)
- Section 4 : Content Managed Websites (PDF 351 KB)
- Section 5 : Products you may need but don't have (PDF 447 KB)

Telephony Development Project (March 2008)

The ICT Hub telephony project (led by Telephone Helplines Association) resulted in the following resources, designed to help a variety of audiences when considering telephony solutions.

Download Good Telephony Guide (PDF 815 KB)

Download Telephony Guide for Funders (PDF 822 KB)

Download Telephony Guide for Suppliers (PDF 821 KB)

ICT Hub / Telephone Helplines Association "Making Connections" (June 2006)

The Telephone Helplines Association were commissioned by the ICT Hub to carry out research into the understanding and take up of telephony in the voluntary and community sector.

Download the Making Connections report (Word 632 KB)

Open Source Development Project (March 2008)

The open source project (led by Advice for Life) resulted in the development of this introduction to Open Source solutions.

'What is Open Source' Booklet (PDF 148 KB)

ICT Hub / National Computing Centre (NCC) "Sampling Survey of Free & Open Source Software (FOSS)" (Summer 2006)

This report is as a result of survey work commissioned by the National Computing Centre (NCC) to inform and guide the future work of the Open Source project within the ICT Hub.

Download 'Sampling Survey of Free & Open Source Software (FOSS)' report (PDF 196 KB)

Using the internet

Virtual Promise, The power of the internet for charities (2000 - 2005)

In-depth surveys into charities' use of the internet and new technology. Reseach by NfP Synergy.

Download Virtual Promise - The power of the internet for charities (PDF 544 KB)

Download report on charities’ use of the internet between 2000-2004 (PDF 697 KB)

Exploring ICT for Collaboration in the voluntary and community sector (November 2006)

A report that studies the potential of using ICT tools such as blogs, wikis, shared databases, forums and extranets for collaboration in the voluntary and community sector. Research by Paul Henderson, RuralNet.

Download Exploring ICT for collaboration in the voluntary and community sector (PDF 764 KB)

Online technology for social change from struggle to strategy (September 2006)

A research project examining the use of technology in campaigning to effect change and the challenges it presents in organising to promote social change. Research by dotOrganize.

Download Online technology for social change (PDF 220 KB)

The ICT Hub

ICT Hub final project report - independent evaluation (April 2008)

This independent evaluation was commissioned by the ICT Hub at the start of the 2 1/2 year project and evaluates the effectiveness of the programme as a whole.

Download a copy of the ICT Hub final report (PDF 407 KB)

NCVO research conference abstract

In this paper Paul Ticher examines the use of information and communication technology in the Voluntary and community sectors.

Download the Research Conference Abstract 2007 (PDF 77 KB)

ICT Hub Baseline Research (2007)

This authoritative independent research document has been commissioned by the ICT Hub to study all aspects of information and communications technology in the voluntary and community sectors.

It covers ICT policy and strategy, accessibility and training and well as conducting an in-depth study of technologies and technical support available. This is essential reading for anyone with an interest in ICT in the voluntary and community sector.

Download the ICT Hub Baseline Research 2007 (PDF 634 KB)

ICT Hub Baseline Line Research (2004)

Essential reading for anyone who wants to find out more about the take of up and attitudes to ICT in the voluntary and community sector.

Download ICT Hub 2004 Baseline research (PDF 333 KB)

ICT Development Services