The listings here are organisations, web sites, forums and programmes that may be useful to those developing community technology initiatives for localities, centres, nonprofit organisations or networks. See 'Help for...' and other menu items on the left for details of those.

I have given some preliminary coding as a purely personal assessment (particularly, of course, for Making the Net Work and Partnerships Online sites, which I manage:-).

Thanks to DirectSupport for supporting the work...though errors and omissions are my responsibility. Comments, additions please to david@makingthenetwork.org

There is a summary table of all entries here, classifying sites under the following categories.

C - mainly general community issues content rather than technology
H - community technology 'How to' content or advice
N - network or forum you may be able to join, or newsletter
P - community technology policy content
L - extensive links

I've included sites and organisations of interest which don't aim to have a substantial technology input, but do use technology for their operations. Lack of letters is not an adverse judgment.
David Wilcox

AbilityNet (H, P, L)
AbilityNet is a charity that 'brings the benefits of computer technology to adults and children with disabilities'. It provides free information and advice on any aspect of the use of a computer by someone with a disability, plus awareness education, and consultancy.

BBC Webwise (H, N, P, L)
Extensive online information and help in the use of technology, with associated courses and forums. Articles, comment, links all professionally presented. More advanced materials are now stuctured into an on-line course called Becoming Webwise which can lead to a qualification.

Becta (H, N, P, L)
The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency is the UK Government's lead agency on the use of ICT in education. Becta advises schools and colleges on connectivity, equipment, and online learning. Becta Community Programmes Team is working on a number of initiatives aimed at 'bridging the digital divide' to make information communication technology more widely available in the community. These include UK Online Centres and Community Grids for Learning.

Beehive (H, N)
The Northcliffe group, which publishes many local papers throughout the UK, is offering local nonprofit organisations the ability to create and maintain their own web sites through easy to use software as well as communicating with others through the bulletin boards.

Black Information Link (C, N, P, L)
This 'premier UK site for ethnic minority issues', run by the the 1990 Trust, was born from an early vision of the potential for electronic networking. It has extensive, news, feature articles, information and campaigns.

CitizensConnection is now Just Do Something (C,N)
... designed to help Common Purpose participants and graduates turn principles into practice. Developed by Community Purpose, which has also created Yourturn.net, a new website for teenagers who want to make a difference.

Citizens Online (C, N, P)
Citizens Online is a charitable organisation committed to exploring the social and cultural impact of the Internet. Their main aim is to implement positive action to bridge the so-called "Digital Divide", in order to promote the benefits of Universal Internet Access.

comm@NET (C,H)
comm@NET is a registered charity that promotes, supports and develops on line community archives. It offers advice, training and support to groups and organisations. Community archives are as much about process as they are about product. They promote an understanding, tolerance and respect between generations and between diverse ethnic, social and cultural communities. By enabling communities to record and share their heritage, they foster active citizenship within a multicultural democracy.

Common Purpose (C)
Common Purpose is best known as an independent charity that, since 1989, has run programmes throughout the UK bringing together leaders from public, private and community sectors to learn from each other. Now also developing substantial online services including CitizensConnection for community activists and Yourturn.net for young people.

Communities Channel - Scotland (H,P,L)
National Grid for Learning Scotland has developed a comprehensive website for those aiming to promote the use of information and communication technologies in the community, including Guides to Getting Communities Connected. The site - initially developed by the Making the Net Work team - covers centres, organisations, community grids and smaller projects. There is also a training programme.

Communities Internet (C, H, N, L)
Communities Internet offers free web site design and hosting for community groups so they can work together to create a community web site, managed through a local volunteer web master and their Community Team. Initially working in Scotland in Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. The Helping Hands assistance for people who can't find what they want on the web has developed into a support section http://www.communities-internet.com/support/. 'Our motto is everyone is included. '

Communities Online (H, N, P, L)
Communities Online, started in 1996, is a not-for-profit company that 'aims to address issues of sustainability, regeneration, social inclusion and healthier economies by focusing on the use of new communications technologies in communities and neighbourhoods'. Maintains the Conet discussion list, supports community networking activities, provides community networking and e-democracy news service, undertakes research, runs events and online forums, and develops policy recommendations, good practice guidelines and resources for community practitioners through its Board of volunteers. Strong links with the Global Community Networking Partnership and European Association for Community Networking.

Comm.Unity (H, P)
Comm.unity is a national Business in the Community campaign which inspires and engages business in supporting the community's use of information and communication technologies. Develops joint business-community projects.

Community Action Network (C,N)
CAN is 'a mutual learning and support network for social entrepreneurs', started in 1998, and unusual among nonprofit network organisations in having all members online. Main focus is non-tech projects, but CAN is increasingly involved in community tech initiatives with others including Smartchange and Networks Online.

Community Channel (C)
The Community Channel, launched in 2000, is 'the UK's first charity television and internet channel'. The channel provides the facility to watch programmes made by charities on your computer screen. Also available on Sky Digital Channel 655. The channel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Media Trust.

Community Development Foundation (C,P)
CDF is a UK government-supported body 'whose role is to pioneer, study and promote new forms of community development, in order to inform public policy, professional practice and community initiatives'. Although not currently developing online services CDF has helped initiate or broker significant developments in the community technology field.

Community Informatics Research and Applications Unit (H, N, P - mainly North East)
CIRA at the University of Teesside provides training and awareness packages for community groups and other organisations, undertakes research, and runs events.

Community Information Systems Centre (H, N, P, L)
CISC at the University of the West of England, Bristol runs a range of practical ICT workshops in partnership with community and voluntary sector organisations and communities of interest, and is involved in evaluation, feasibility studies, consultancy and development work, as well as action research projects. Current interests include community networking, sustainability in community information systems, multimedia and narrative, inclusive technologies, formative evaluation, and cultural and policy aspects of community ICT. CISC is also involved in running events and publishing, for voluntary sector as well as academic audiences.

Community Media Association (H, N,P.L)
A membership organisation serving those involved in community radio, TV and other media. The CMA provides information, advice, training and consultancy. It represents the interests of community media to Government, regulators and other industry bodies. Currently developing an Internet Streaming Media Service that will enable its members to broadcast over the Net at low cost.

CommunityTV Trust (H)
A small new charity aiming to help groups develop local community TV. 'An open-minded, fun and accessible community 'TV' service, run as a forum for debate, the supply of information and promotion of local initiatives, talent and needs, has a vital role to play in multi-cultural, multi-faith C21st century Britain. Digital/cable TV and new media will be playing their part in urban regeneration and social cohesion.'

Conet (N)
An email list run by Communities Online 'for those interested in helping build UK Communities Online, sharing experience of community networking, supporting the campaign, contributing articles, attending events and building applications'.

Cyberskills (H,N)
Awareness raising and training programmes on computers and Internet run by accredited centres. Based on a programme started in South Bristol in 1993. The Cyberskills Association supports centres and monitors programmes to ensure quality standards.

DirectSupport (H, N, L)
A consortium of organisations funded by the the Department for Education and Employment to support small, community-based UK Online Centres. Provides them with a help desk, mentor services, training and a dedicated online network. Partners are National Rural Enterprise Centre, Action with Communities in Rural England, Community Action Network, Community Development Foundation and Partnerships Online.

Do-it (C)
A database of 200,000 plus volunteering opportunities developed by Youthnet.

E-government bulletin (N)
This free e-mail newsletter, established in 1995, 'delivers monthly news and features on all aspects of electronic government, online public services, 'teledemocracy' and the information society in the UK and worldwide'. The publishers, Headstar, also run online events.

e-Learning Foundation (H)
A charity working with the UK Government and companies to promote the vision that in 'five to seven years from now, every pupil in the UK over four years of age will have a personal ICT device, complete with the ability to receive and use the internet via mobile telephony, that they can take from lesson to lesson and from school to home.' This will be done in part by setting up local trusts. See also Wired UP Communities below.

E-mint (H, N)
E-mint is a network for anyone interested in the theory or practice of online communities. Members - including online community mangers, IT managers, and web designers - meet face-to-face monthly in London as well as virtually through a mailing list.

etribes (H, N)
etribes is consultancy specialising in online communities, development and management services for non-profits, that also offers news updates from the field.

European Telework Online (H,N,P,L)
The world's 'largest, most linked, and most visited Telework site' has sections on teletrade and telecooperation as well as teleworking, together with discussions forums.

Freepint (H, N, P, L)
Free Pint is a free email newsletter, published twice a month, with tips on Internet searching and Web site reviews. It now circulates to over 41,000 Internet researchers and business users around the world. Join the Free Pint Bar for discussions.

GreenNet (H,N,P, L)
GreenNet is 'a not-for-profit collective dedicated to supporting and promoting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights and the environment, through the use of Information and Communication Technology'. With Poptel it is a leading 'alternative' Internet Service Provider.

Help is at Hand (H,N,P,L)
This web site, managed by Becta, is the main online resource for managers of UK online centres. Detailed advice on setting up and managing a centre, choosing technology, training staff and supporting learners.

housit (H, N, P, L)
housIT is 'a virtual community of people interested or involved in housing to share knowledge and skills about best practice and innovation relating to housing and IT'. The site was supported for its first year by the Housing Corporation. Now seeking further funding.

humanITy (H, P)
humanITy, 'the world's first digital charity, was founded in 1997 to investigate and tackle social exclusion problems raised by the information technology (IT) revolution. It acts as a lobbying organisation, a think tank, a concept blueprint developer and a designer of cutting edge projects to test hypotheses about the effect of IT on the most disadvantaged people in society'.

Info@UK (P)
Info@UK is a monthly bulletin on Information Society developments within the United Kingdom and around the world compiled by the Information Management Research Institute (IMRI), University of Northumbria on behalf of the British Council.

iCAN (C, N, L)
Impressive BBC site prommising that 'We make it easy for you to get together with other people and start making a difference in your neighbourhood. You can find information and advice, see what's going on in your area, get in touch with people who share your views and even start a campaign online.

InfoRurale (C, P, L)
InfoRurale 'consolidates information on rural development from around the world. Our objective is to provide a first-stop-shop for those involved in rural development activities in the UK'. Run by NREC.

IT Resource Guide for UK Charities (H, N, L)
This site by consultant Ivan Wainewright maintains it is 'the most comprehensive guide to IT information, products and services for the UK voluntary sector'. Tech advice, hardware and software recommendations, events, training and other resouces plus a newsletter.

Kablenet (N ,L)
What's happening in e-government and information-age public services from Kable the publisher of Government Computing. Content-rich site with free newsletters.

Knowledgebase (H, N, L)
A free online guide to IT issues for the voluntary sector, run by London Advice Services Alliance

London Advice Services Alliance (C, P, L)
LASA runs Rightsnet the welfare rights website for advice workers and other services for advisers including training and consultancy. Also publishes Computanews a bi monthly magazine, and Knowledgebase a free online service providing information and advice on IT issues affecting the voluntary sector.

Making the Net Work (H, P, L)
Joint US-UK initiative to share experience of community technology. Develops projects, web sites and publications. Extensive website on centres and online communities including workshop games to involve users and plan systems.

Manchester Community Information Network (C, H, N, L)
A community development organisation working to develop electronic community information and participation using written and audio formats. MCIN builds and supports the ICT and organisational skills of local geographic or interest communities. Groups produce community portal sites with links to local services and engage the community through a number of interactive mechanisms. See www.mymanchester.net, www.cheetham.info and www.hlminfo.net

Media Trust (C, N)
The Media Trust 'help charities with their communications..... by encouraging media professionals to volunteer their skills, time and resources. We work across the UK.' Also runs the Community Channel.

National Rural Enterprise Centre (C)
The Centre 'promotes a living and working countryside, finding new ways of work to help rural communities improve and strengthen their local economies. It works through research, consultancy and information transfer, and projects which put ideas into practice at local level'. NREC runs RuralNet the InfoRurale. It has also established Networks Online in collaboration with CAN.

Networks Online (H, N, P, L)
Networks Online is a subscription-based 'network of networks' providing and linking intranets and extranets in the voluntary, public and private sectors. Member networks include: RuralNet; Community Action Network; ACRE and the Cornwall Extranet. Run by NREC in collaboration with Community Action Network.

NIACE: Learning through Information and Communication Technologies (H, N, L, P)
The National Organisation for Adult Learning NIACE has undertaken a variety of research and development projects including laptops for adult and community learning, online learning research, IT awareness for adults, and materials for IT tutors. It offers email discussion forums. Its major aim is to widen participation in learning.

The National Organisation for Adult Learning NIACE runs a number of projects including laptops for adult and community learning, IT awareness for adults, and materials for IT tutors. It offers

Nua Internet Surveys (N,L)
This free email newsletter is 'the world's No 1 resource for Internet trends, read by 200,000 people'.

Partnerships Online (C, H, L)
Consultancy network specialising in community participation, partnerships, and the use of community technology. Makes project work and publications - including two free books - available on its web site. Also developed Making the Net Work.

People's Network (H, P, L)
The People's Network project will connect all UK public libraries to the Information Superhighway by the end of 2002. The Government is funding training for staff, digital content creation, and the network infrastructure to create more than 4300 ICT learning centres. The project is managed by Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries and funded by the New Opportunities Fund.

Poptel (H, N, P, L)
Poptel started in 1986 as a cooperative business majority-owned by its employees. It's home page explains recent changes, including news of The Phone Co-op.

Redbricks Online Ltd (H)
Redbricks are 'a community resourced information systems provider. That means we provide and maintain a local community computer network which allows permanent unmetered internet access for residents of the Redbricks (BentleyHouse Estate, Hulme, Manchester, UK.) After successfully operating our network for three years we now have more than 80 households connected and using the service. We are planning to assist in the development of other neighbourhood networks as well as finishing our own! '

Regen.net (C, N, L)
Provides news and forums for regeneration practitioners. Now run by Regeneration and Renewal Magazine.

RuralNet (C, H, N, P, L)
Subscription-based closed network for rural groups and organisations providing substantial information databases, forums, and tools for web publishing and collaboration. Part of Networks Online

SCROLLA (H, N, P, L)
The Scottish Centre for Research into On-Line Learning and Assessment provides a focus for research into how information and communication technologies are used in education, concentrating on on-line learning and assessment.

Sussex Community Internet Project (SCIP) (H,N,P,L)
Provides training and support for local community and voluntary sector organisations, mainly in Sussex.

Telecentre, Telework and Telecottage Association (H, N, P, L)
The TCA is 'Europe's largest organisation dedicated to the promotion of teleworking. The TCA believes that teleworking can benefit people by increasing the quality of life and improving access to work".

TimeBank (C)
TimeBank 'is a high profile national media campaign to raise awareness of the value of giving time and inspire a new generation of Volunteers'. It uses web and database technology to provide high quality information and examples of volunteering opportunities to match people's passions, interests and skills.

trAce (H, N ,L)
trAce connects writers and readers around the world in real and virtual space, so far covering 105 countries. 'We promote an accessible and inclusive approach to the internet with the focus on creativity, collaboration and training. This is where writers meet to experiment, create new work, and expand the potential of the global literary community'.

UK online centres (H, N, L)
Part of the UK Government's overall online strategy, UK online centres aims to provide access to the Internet and e-mail near where people live. The programme is doing this in England through funding new centres, and badging and promoting existing facilities (including cybercafes, libraries, colleges). See also Help is at Hand and DirectSupport for advice. You can search for your local centre.

Virtual Society? (P,L)
University-based research programme into 'the social science of electronic technologies'. To be succeeded by e-society 'Understanding the Restructuring of Practices and Institutions in the Digital Age'

Wired Up Communities (H, N)
A £10 million UK Government programme 'to assess how individual access to the Internet can transform opportunities for people living in the most disadvantaged communities by developing new ways of accessing learning, work and leisure services.' Seven pilot areas are using a variety of means - computers, digital TV - to connect the majority of people within a locality. More on this site about WUCs. This links closely with the £5m initiative that is being taken forward by the e-Learning Foundation to look at the benefits of providing school children in WuC areas with much greater access to ICT. There is now a Wired up Communities practitioner toolkit.

Womenconnect (H, N, P, L)
Women Connect is a three year project, funded by the Community Fund, which works to enable women's community and voluntary organisations throughout England to increase their organisational effectiveness through use of ICTs, networking and shared learning.

Workwithus.org (C, N, P, L )
Workwithus.org is 'the single gateway to the voluntary sector in Scotland'. With news, events, donations, information, jobs and more 'it is the biggest electronic library exclusively containing voluntary sector information. Statutory advice, expert and specific help, by topic, for the public, plus global exposure for charities'.

Youthnet (C, H, N, L)
Runs thesite which provides comprehensive information on sex, money, drugs, housing and other issues for young people. Also runs other projects including Internet access for young people and volunteering.

David Wilcox. Making the Net Work. September 2001 - February 2004. These pages at http://www.makingthenetwork.org/tools/who.htm