The Centre for Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST) has received £1.12m from the Big Lottery Fund to power the use of digital technology among charities in the UK.
According to a statement, the money will serve to finance two different schemes: an intensive accelerator programme and a set of learning tools, templates and publications delivered both on and offline.
Through the accelerator, CAST will work closely with 12 different charities from the UK over a three year period to help them build new digital services.
Dan Sutch, co-founder and director of CAST, said: “The digital revolution isn’t about apps and websites; it’s about a fundamental change in the way we find information, people and support. At the heart of great digital development is a shift to user-led, test-driven design, working closely with people and their communities to create effective and empowering services.
“We urgently need to engage community organisations to join this revolution, and harness the potential of digital technology to achieve their mission,” he added.
Joe Ferns, UK knowledge and portfolio director at the Big Lottery Fund, spoke about the funding:
“Digital technology is a key enabler for people to make their own choices. This project will generate significant learning that will lead to the sector making better use of digital technology in delivering vital services to people so they can take better control of their lives.
“It will also stimulate digital take-up in the sector and provide evidence of how charities can use technology to expand already proven interventions, generate organisational change and aid sustainability,” said the director.
CAST will be seeking applicants for its digital accelerator later this year.