New Web site for African organizations

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and GuideStar International have announced a joint venture to develop a free Web portal for African civil society organizations.

Organizations will be able to upload documents and photographs to the interactive Web site, enabling them to share information on their objectives, activities and finances with donors, researchers and policy makers.

The initiative will also showcase the work of charities and nongovernmental and community-based organizations.

The site is highly searchable and will provide online networks to connect African organizations to comprehensive information nationally, regionally and globally, said Caroline Neligan, GuideStar's director of partnerships and development.

Nevertheless, "the lack of access to the Internet among grassroots and rural organizations, as well as the local people's attitude towards information sharing, pose a challenge to implementing the program," Neligan said.

GuideStar's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy by providing transparent information on nonprofit organizations worldwide.