How this publication can help

This information is aimed at chief executives, managers and trustees of organisations considering the use of online tools to enable collaborative working as well as those within voluntary organisations with responsibility for ICT (information and communication technology).

Organisations using online collaboration might choose from a variety of available tools, some of which are well-established, some of which have potential that may not be fully understood, and some of which are new. This information examines a variety of ICT tools in each of these categories, and looks at the advantages and pitfalls each might offer. Case studies illustrate voluntary and community sector experience of a variety of ICT tools. Full versions of these documents are available at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/collaborate

It is useful for voluntary and community organisations asking:

• How can we communicate with our partners?
• How can large scale collaborations communicate?
• How can we share our information more effectively?
• How can we develop information together?
• How can collaborators share photos, audio and video?

Throughout this information, reference will be made to different types of tools. Individual applications of tools may be cited as examples and links given for reference. This in no way constitutes an endorsement of an application, or a suggestion that one particular application should be preferred above another.