Martus training support and consultation

Benetech offers prospective Martus users varying levels of assistance. All Martus software and user documentation can be freely downloaded from martus.org. NGOs, as well as larger international organizations, often request training and planning assistance from Benetech to help their groups adopt Martus. Benetech is pleased to provide this assistance and is willing to work with each organization to help identify grants and other funding opportunities to make Benetech's participation possible. Alternatively, organizations can hire Benetech directly to perform these services. Finally, Benetech has had great experience with NGOs training Martus without our direct involvement. We encourage interested groups to adopt and promote Martus to ensure that the grassroots groups that need it have access to Martus. Please let us know how we can help you!

Planning for deployment of Martus software

Benetech works with NGOs to identify staff members with appropriate technology skills for training activities. We help with the selection of computer resources that will meet the needs of the organization. We also provide capacity building workshops to help NGOs in their data collection activities, to promote information sharing and improve reporting methods. Benetech staff can lead training sessions to help NGO staff become experts in the use of Martus as well as enable training participants to further train other colleagues, partners or customers in the use of Martus.

Promoting information sharing

A goal of the project is to increase communication and information sharing between organizations. Martus software employs an Internet-connected computer server that securely backs up data uploaded by Martus users. Once backed up, this data can be easily shared by those permitted access. Taking advantage of the ability of the server to assist with data dissemination, NGOs can be linked through a network in which each Martus user i) serves as a clearinghouse for the data collected by all of its human rights monitors and ii) chooses which information can be published on the Martus Search Engine and therefore made available to a broader public audience.

As an example, this sharing mechanism currently enables monitors located throughout the Philippine Islands (e.g., Visayas, Basilan and Mindanao, among others) to back up data and have it reviewed by their respective NGO headquarters in Manila. Once reviewed, the NGO can then decide to upload the data, providing direct viewing rights to the other monitors or to the public via the Martus Search Engine.

Building local capacity

Building up local technology capacity increases the adoption of new technology. We can provide a basic computer skills session to the attendees of Martus software training so that newly trained users can impart these skills – along with how to use Martus – to colleagues.

Improving NGO monitoring and reporting methods

For each organization represented, this is an opportunity to discuss monitoring effectiveness, documentation methods and reporting skills. The training program includes sessions devoted to integrating new methods of conducting human rights monitoring to improve reporting and advocacy, including how to implement and incorporate Martus in their work to improve efficiency and effectiveness

Martus Server Administration and Technical Training

• Server Administration
  Organizations that host servers may contract with Benetech to perform server administration duties.
• Technical Training
  Benetech can provide technology training to server administrators so that they can master the duties of hosting and administering Martus Servers.