Enabling communities with open source – Drupal as a Digital Public Good

The open-source movement has revolutionized how technology enables communities. At the heart of this movement lies the concept of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) – freely available resources that benefit society.

Drupal, a robust Open-Source Content Management System (CMS), stands tall as a prime example of a DPG, playing an important role in the success of countless non-profit organizations (NPOs).

This blog digs deep into the power of Drupal as a DPG, exploring how NPOs leverage its capabilities to increase their impact and foster stronger communities. We'll explore real-world examples, learn more about the core principles of DPGs, and shed light on how Drupal aligns with this crucial digital movement.

The Rise of Digital Public Goods

The digital age has changed the way we connect and interact with the world around us. However, access to the tools and resources that fuel this connectivity can often be a barrier for many. DPGs bridge this gap by providing open, accessible, and interoperable resources that benefit everyone.

Imagine a library, not just for books, but for digital tools that help communities to thrive. This library is DPGs. NPOs, educational institutions, and even governments can access the tools needed to create impactful digital platforms without exorbitant costs or restrictive licensing.

Core Characteristics of DPGs:

• Open source – Freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute
• Globally accessible – Designed for widespread adoption and use by diverse communities
• Collaborative – Cooperation among diverse groups, including developers and users, to enhance and maintain digital tools
• Interoperable: Seamlessly integrates with other digital tools and platforms
• Community-driven – Backed by a collaborative community that fosters development

Drupal embodies these core principles, making it a quintessential DPG. Its open-source nature enables NPOs of all sizes to build robust websites and digital experiences without breaking the bank. The vibrant Drupal community provides ongoing support, innovation, and a wealth of resources, ensuring continuous improvement and scalability.

Real-world impact | NPO powered by Drupal

Let's explore some digital infrastructure examples of how NPOs leverage Drupal's DPG advantage:

Overhauling the digital landscape of ADA with Drupal 10 & multisite architecture

Drupal 10 multisite architecture for non-profits enhances the digital presence ensuring top-tier security, performance, and a user-centric experience. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) utilizes Drupal to manage its contribution to the fight against diabetes by funding research, improving treatment options, and offering care services.

ADA revamped its online presence using multisite capabilities by developing a cohesive and intuitive platform with Drupal resulting in the scalability of its digital infrastructure, unique designs for its audience, centralized content management, and robust security of user data.

With the upgrade, the ADA can now educate, support, and enable individuals affected by diabetes more efficiently. This allows them to reach a larger audience, efficiently manage their life-saving services, and have a positive impact on the lives of many people affected by diabetes.

Feel free to explore the full case study here.

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Building Drupal-powered knowledge management platform for UNICEF

The potential of Drupal for building robust and user-friendly knowledge management platforms empowers non-profit organizations to achieve their goals more effectively. UNICEF wanted to share its extensive knowledge library with external partners, including donors, stakeholders, and the general public.

UNICEF revolutionized its knowledge sharing and collaboration with Drupal for its web infrastructure. Drupal's flexibility and robust content management capabilities resulted in easy accessibility of resources, customized features tailored to meet specific requirements, and robust security to protect sensitive information.

With this digital solution, Drupal enabled UNICEF to deliver a vast amount of information seamlessly to millions of users worldwide. Content authors now have the flexibility to create and update information seamlessly.

Feel free to explore the full case study here.

Interactive data visualization of climate hazards for the International Organization for Migration, UN

Drupal’s various modules enable non-profits to create a visualization application ensuring a seamless user experience. Design and development of an interactive data visualization tool helped The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN migration agency, to showcase the impact of climate change on global migration patterns.

The data-driven portal helped to understand climate-related displacement risk better which provides a vital foundation to allocate resources and make informed policy decisions. The data shown enabled international organizations with insights to provide effective and targeted support for vulnerable populations.

They can now interactively explore where and when climate hazard exposure, high population densities, and economic vulnerability will coincide in the future. This shift towards evidence-based decision-making ensures that aid and resources reach those who need it most, maximizing their impact and fostering a more resilient future for all.

Feel free to explore the full case study here.

These are just a few examples of how we helped NPOs leverage Drupal's DPG advantage. Here are more examples of how the world’s top non-profits chose Drupal to build impactful digital experiences.

Drupal enables these NPOs with

• Reduce Costs: Free and open-source, Drupal eliminates the need for expensive licensing fees, allowing NPOs to allocate resources towards their core mission.
• Increase Efficiency: Drupal's user-friendly interface and extensive tools streamline website management, freeing up valuable time for NPO staff.
• Embrace Customization: Drupal's flexible architecture allows NPOs to tailor their website to their specific needs and target audiences.
• Foster Collaboration: The open-source nature encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing within the NPO community, leading to a collective benefit.

The Drupal Community: A Driving Force

The vibrant Drupal community is a cornerstone of its success as a DPG. Developers from all over the world contribute their expertise, develop modules for specific functionalities, and offer ongoing support.

This collaborative spirit ensures continuous innovation and adaptation, allowing Drupal to stay ahead of the curve and serve the ever-evolving needs of NPOs and other organizations.

Why Does This Matter?

The impact of DPGs like Drupal on the NPO landscape is profound. With accessible and powerful tools, Drupal enables them to:

• Reach a wider audience: Spread awareness about their causes and connect with potential supporters globally.
• Engage Stakeholders: Foster deeper connections with volunteers, donors, and beneficiaries by providing interactive platforms.
• Drive Results: Increase fundraising efforts, volunteer recruitment, and program participation through efficient online outreach.
• Enable Communities: Build stronger communities by providing access to information, resources, and tools that drive social change.

Conclusion

Drupal, as a DPG, represents the democratization of technology for social good. It helps NPOs to focus on their missions, leaving the complexities of web development to the dedicated Drupal community.

In a world where technology is a powerful driver for change, access to digital tools is crucial for social impact. By championing DPGs like Drupal, we enable NPOs to compete and thrive in the digital landscape.

This fosters a more just and equitable environment where technology makes positive change, and NPOs can effectively address the world's most pressing challenges.

Get in touch with our team of experts today to create a future-focused digital architecture with Drupal.