The Metamorphosis Foundation and the local office of Microsoft Albania organized an NGO Connection Day “Be the spark of change” in cooperation with the Mjaft! movement on June 18 at the Hotel Tirana International in Tirana.
The purpose of the NGO Connection Day was to introduce options providing information and communication technologies (ICT), and to familiarize the NGOs with the opportunities offered by the Microsoft Youth Spark program and the cyber grant applications (grants for free licensed software).
The event was opened by Bardhyl Jashari, director of the Metamorphosis Foundation from Macedonia, who presented the work of Metamorphosis in supporting the NGO sector to build its capacities for strategic use of ICT. He also noted that Microsoft’s support is important from two aspects: 1) an opportunity for NGOs in Albania to use quality software of the newest generation and 2) piracy reduction.
In his opening address, Mr. Agim Bekaj, Country Manager, Microsoft Albania, encouraged the attendees to use the opportunities that are now offered by Microsoft in Albania and summarized the opportunities and programs offered by Microsoft to NGOs.
The representative of Metamorphosis, web developer Merxhan Emini presented a number of options that can be used by non-governmental organizations depending on their profile, and explained that the innovative use of technologies can change the way of life, because they offer a shortcut with less costs for achieving goals. He proposed the “Explore, act and impact” model, according to which, depending on their respective mission, these organizations will be able to learn more about the many opportunities offered by technology, use them in accordance with their mission and measure the impact in order to analyze the reactions of the citizens.
Vlora Ademi, Academic Program Manager, Microsoft Macedonia and Kosovo presented the Microsoft Youth Spark program and its purpose to assist the NGOs in achieving their full potential. Ms. Ademi explained that the organizations willing to apply for assistance and grants from Microsoft should visit the Microsoft webpage for NGO resources.
The event was finalized with the presentations of Mr. Arben Murtaj, Account Technology strategist, and Mrs. Elona Xhaferi, Academic Program Manager at Microsoft Albania. Mr. Murtaj presented the Cloud opportunities offered by Microsoft Office365 with an emphasis on productivity and cooperation within the organization and with other NGOs. Mrs. Xhaferi provided the attendees with detailed guidelines about the process and informed them about the eligibility for applying.
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