WhatsApp's "Chat for Impact Bootcamp" to empower NGO's

New Delhi: WhatsApp on Tuesday announced its latest initiative to empower hundred social impact organisations in India by training them on using it for better community engagement, reports IANS.

The virtual initiative, "Chat for Impact Bootcamp", is scheduled for August 10-11. It is curated by WhatsApp- the mobile messaging platform- partnering with Praekelt.org is hosted by Turn.io. This is a follow-up fom the recent Chat for Impact Summit powered by WhatsApp with thirty organisations' participation.

The initiative aims to support and accelerate the NGOs' works to provide vulnerable, disempowered, and minority communities with easy access to vital information and support via WhatsApp. It is open for any NGO aiming to start a WhatsApp helpline to support their work to engage their communities.

Abhijit Bose, Head of WhatsApp India, said that the app was preferred as a medium for several government institutions, civic actors and volunteer groups to take Covid-19 relief efforts and informing people since WhatsApp is an easily accessible platform. He added that they are looking forward to supporting more such solutions and working with social impact organisations to continue meaningful contributions through the Bootcamp initiative.

The organisations that are selected for the Bootcamp will attend it for two days of programmes, including online sessions, pre-event work, and a follow-up session. They will receive a free WhatsApp helpline for their organisation, a free Turn.io license for six months to help organisations manage and automate their WhatsApp service and 100,000 free messaging credits for their service up to the end of the Covid pandemic. All these services are valued at 5000 dollars.

The registration for the Bootcamp would close on July 30, the company informed.