Local Projects Database (LPD)

This project uses Internet-based technology to foster participation in information exchange, particularly but not exclusively during times of crisis or emergency. It uses an open source approach to designing applications, which is a strategy for making information technology more affordable and better tailored to the needs of developing nations. Under the open source approach, applications can be created by a community of software developers anywhere in the world, rather than by a single vendor. The source code is available for any organisation to modify to suit its own purposes.

Concretely, LPD is a java-based application (tool) that allows inserting, maintaining, and exchanging activity data. This means that organisations that download the LPD tool may freely enter data on a specific development activity or project. That data is stored in the LPD database and then can be retrieved and consulted for future needs. Also, using the Development Gateway's Accessible Information on Development Activities (AiDA) database, the LPD data can be fed to that global repository of aid activities.

Some of the specific features available through download of LPD include:

• Project Data Capture Tool - allows the LPD host organisation to generate project data from a number of local sources.
• Project Search Tool - allows users to search projects in the database.
• Organisation/Person Management - facilitates the management of organisations/people involved.
• Alerts - allows users to set up parameters which, when met, will send a notification.
• Personalisation - allows users a quick view to personal preferences.
• Sending a Project by E-Mail - allows sharing projects of interest with colleagues.
• Statistics - allows users to have a quick snapshot of the statistics by sectors, country and status.
• Charts - allows chart creation based on the search results.
• Registration, Login And Preferences Management - allows the user to register, log in and change password.
• Admin Tools - allows the administrators to manage the LPD.
• Export capabilities - allow the export of data in the XML format.

The LPD is being piloted by regional and local development portals supported by the Development Gateway, known as Country Gateways, in Colombia, Mongolia, Morocco, Poland, and Romania. The Morocco Development Gateway and United Nations Development Programme are using the LPD to generate an annual report on development assistance in Morocco.

At this point the documentation and the LPD application itself is based in English with the functionality that will allow the users to add translations in any language. According to organisers, adding a new one is very easy and the number that LPD can hold is unlimited. Currently the interface has almost complete translations for 6 languages.

Technology.

Initially conceived and designed by the World Bank, the Washington, DC (USA)-based Development Gateway has operated as an independent not-for-profit organisation since 2001. Its mission is to help improve people's lives in developing countries by building partnerships and information systems that provide access to knowledge for development.

Based in the United States, the World Resources Institute is an independent nonprofit organisation working to protect the Earth and improve people's lives.