Translations for Progress

Translations for Progress uses information and communication technology (ICT) to engender collaboration between two distinct groups with shared needs and interests: international NGOs seeking translation assistance, on the one hand, and students or professionals of foreign languages, on the other.

Specifically, volunteer translators are linked with organisations by means of a free, searchable online database offered on the Translations for Progress website. Those who wish to post a profile or contact an organisation or volunteer translator must complete a free registration process. Similarly, an online database of organisations' profiles exists. These forums are open for viewing for the general public; by using the search functions, visitors can list all translators, organisations, or translation tasks currently registered with the site. They may also limit a search to particular languages they are seeking a translation to and from, or search the database by keyword. It is up to translators and organisations to find each other; contact is made through the database e-mail interface.

Volunteerism, NGO Sustainability.

Translations for Progress is a volunteer-based initiative that receives no external funding. It was formed based on the conviction that, while "students are certainly not professional translators, more often than not anyone with solid reading knowledge, a dictionary, and patience can put together a passable translation of general materials, which could make a big difference for an NGO struggling to be heard." NGOs in developing and even developed nations, organisers explain, "need translations in order to work with the press internationally, seek funding from overseas foundations, and, more broadly, inform the world community about their work and information they may have to share. Oftentimes, something as simple as an English website can greatly increase scope of an organization's influence, and as a result, allow it to much more effectively address the problems it seeks to solve."

They note that, in addition to organisations being strengthened by translation services, "the benefits of volunteering are universal". For instance, volunteer translators can assume an active role and gain experience in a way that no textbook language course can offer, as well as become better equipped to "assume leading roles as the grass-roots movement globalizes to meet development needs."