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directory of development organizations, resource guide to development organizations and the internet
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Frequently Asked Questions

We receive many inquiries about the directory of development organizations. The following information will answer our most frequently asked questions.
FAQ 1: Is the directory of development organizations a free service?
FAQ 2: How do I view the directory files?
FAQ 3: How do I download a copy of the directories?
FAQ 4: How do I search the directories?
FAQ 5: How are the organizations annotated?
FAQ 6: Will you help us find an organization in our local area?
FAQ 7: How can we include our organization in the directory?
FAQ 8: How frequently is the directory updated?
FAQ 9: About the directory of development organizations?
FAQ 10: What is your privacy policy?
FAQ 11: May I link my site to www.devdir.org?
FAQ 12: Will you send us some or all of your directories?
FAQ 13: Will you make the directory available on CD-Rom?
FAQ 14: What is "My Directory"?
FAQ 1: Is the directory of development organizations a free service?
The purpose of this web site is to provide free information and resources to the development community. All directories can be downloaded for free, at no cost.

Users may download, copy and reprint information from the site for non-commercial purposes so long as the source is cited. However, you may not resell, redistribute or create derivative works from the materials on this web site without our express permission in writing.

All materials available at this website are copyright protected. All rights reserved.
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FAQ 2: How do I view the directory files?
Before downloading a personal copy of the directories (PDF file), you should have Adobe Reader (version 8.0 or higher) installed on your computer which allows you to view, navigate, print and share the PDF files. For a free copy, please click at "Get Adobe Reader":

Get Adobe Reader
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FAQ 3: How do I download a copy of the directories?
Please click the PDF icon if you want to open a directory file in your browser. If you want to directly download the PDF file (recommended), please right-click and hold the mouse button down on the PDF icon and select "Save Target As".

Considering the size of the directory, we suggest you to download and save a copy of each of the directory volumes on your computer where you may use Adobe's bookmarks to let you browse through the documents. The directory has been divided into 6 regions (marked by: I, II, III, IV, V and VI). Each region of the directory can be downloaded in 1 or 2 files. It may take a few minutes to view or download the complete PDF file.

Alternatively, you may click on the country name listed under the heading "Countryfinder" if you only require contact information for one country in particular. The country files, however, do not contain the "bookmarks" that assist you in navigating through the directory.

Before downloading the volumes to your computer, it is recommended to create a new folder (e.g. titled "devdir"). By allocating all volumes in one folder, you are able to move from one volume to another by clicking the bookmarks in Adobe Reader. Countries and organizations have been listed alphabetically. The Adobe Reader "bookmarks" will guide you through each of the volumes of the directory, from one country to another.
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FAQ 4: How do I search the directories?
For an advanced search we recommend to first download the directory and than use the excellent search functions provided by Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader's latest full versions provide superb search capabilities by using its "Search PDF Pane". All search results are shown on-the-fly in one pane and options for multiple-document searches do exist.

To locate the name of an organization in the directory, please note original translations (English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, etc.) of the names of the organizations have been maintained. Abbreviations are frequent and other translations (English) of the names may be used as well; those included here are given primarily to assist you in deciding which may be the most appropriate for you to contact.
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FAQ 5: How are the organizations annotated?
The following are some examples of the organizations classified in one of the nine categories: (1) international organizations: including for example UN organizations, World Bank, IMF, IADB, AfSB, AsDB; (2) government: ministries, government institutions, planning agencies; (3) private sector support organizations: chambers of commerce and industry, fairtrade organizations, trade promotion organizations for SMEs; (4) finance institutions: central banks, national development banks, commercial banks, credit unions, microfinance institutions, finance houses; (5) training and research organizations: universities, research centres and institutions, training institutes; (6) civil society organizations: development foundations and associations, membership development organizations, microfinance institutions, faith-based development organizations, development programmes and projects; (7) development consulting firms: including job opportunities and vacancy announcements; (8) information providers: development newsletters/journals, development publishers, web resources, databases; (9) grantmakers: fundraising, charity and philanthropic organizations.
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FAQ 6: Will you help us find an organization in our local area?
Please note, all of our directory resources are available at this web site. We do not provide any other assistance or services, or offer any information other than the resources presented on this web site.

Those interested in a particular organization of the directory are urged to contact that organization directly for further information.
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FAQ 7: How can we include our organization in the directory?
Please bear in mind that organizations should fit the general criteria of promoting good governance, sustainable development and poverty reduction. We reserve the right to exclude organizations if we feel they not generally match the development topics as described on the index page of this web site.

If you would like to add your organization to the directory, please send contact information for your organization (mail and street address, telephone/fax numbers, e-mail address, web page, and any other additional institutional data you would like to have included in the directory) to info@devdir.org. Your information will than be included in the next update of the directory (we can't guarantee you an exact date of inclusion, however).
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FAQ 8: How frequently is the directory updated?
The directories are updated as soon as sufficient data have been gathered or received from organizations that would justify an updated version of the directory files. On each download page a reference is placed with regard to the last update of the directory. The directories are presented at least once a year with additional new and updated contact information of the development community, if available. Please note, the database is not exhaustive and there may be many other relevant organizations in each country.

The dialling codes of the directory of development organizations are verified every year based on the information provided on the National Numbering Plan Webpage of the ITU - International Telecommunication Union.

Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, organizational contact details, internet addresses, and dialling systems frequently change. We would therefore be grateful for any information or comments that may bring this directory up to date or otherwise improve it. Please use the following e-mail address to communicate any comments or suggestions: info@devdir.org.
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FAQ 9: About the directory of development organizations?
The directory of development organizations started as a small venture in 1997; at requests we decided in 2000 to make the directory available online. The directory is a not-for-profit initiative and depends to a large extend on contributions from organizations visiting the site. In addition, the directory gathers its information from publicly available sources on the Internet, including the organizations' web sites and many other resources based on my experience and perspective as a development economist. Like with many directories, our main challenge is to keep this site as up-to-date as possible.
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FAQ 10: What is your privacy policy?
We are committed to the protection of the privacy of our web site users and visitors. Please note, our web site systems do not automatically capture any of your personal data when visiting devdir.org.

Contact information presented in the directories only include the organization's mail and street address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address and Web page details, if available. Please note, devdir.org is a directory of institutions; It is our aim not to include names, private addresses, private telephone numbers, personal e-mail addresses, satellite phones, etc. in order to limit any unwanted usage of the directory. No commercial user is allowed to create e-mail lists to send unsolicited bulk e-mails to members of the development community, based on the contact information provided in the directory. We do not sell mailing lists to any third party.
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FAQ 11: May I link my site to www.devdir.org?
Yes, you may freely link to this web site or any of its content. We encourage and appreciate links from your web site to this web site. You are welcome to link to / without permission. You may use the following banner to link to the directory of development organizations:

Banner www.devdir.org
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FAQ 12: Will you send us some or all of your directories?
No. We only distribute the directories through this web site. We do not mail, e-mail or sell the directories, provide any other assistance or services, or offer any information other than the resources available at this web site. The purpose of the directories is to offer you full access to relevant contact information within the development community, free of charge.

We make every effort to ensure this web site is accessible and easy to use. Please refer to the download instructions for further assistance.
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FAQ 13: Will you make the directory available on CD-Rom?
The directory of development organizations is currently only available online. At a later stage (to be defined), the directory will be made available again on CD-Rom containing exactly the same directory files as presented on this web site.

Please note we encourage people to download the directory directly from this web site.
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FAQ 14: What is "My Directory"?
Your personal directory!
"My Directory" enables users of the directory of development organizations with Adobe Reader 8.0 (and higher) to save their personal copies of the directory to a local hard drive and conveniently add pointers to the directory.

How does it work?
When opening the directory file, Adobe Reader 8.0 users will be alerted that the PDF-file is enabled for commenting and markup. A "How To" pane will open automatically with instructions on how to use the commenting and markup tools to add your pointers to the directory file. You can always hide the "How To" pane if you do not need it. You will also notice a commenting toolbar that was previously unavailable. This toolbar will allow you to mark up and add pointers and comments to the directory. For later versions, visit Adobe Reader resources to learn more about commenting and markup tools and how to add sticky notes.

Save your favorite pointers
By using the commenting and markup tools to add pointers to the directory (for example by adding to a specific organization "My Favorite" on a sticky note or other markup tool), "My Directory" allows you to save your searchable pointers into your own personal copy of the directory, for later use. The pointers and comments added by you to the directory are accessible from all computers where you open your PDF-file.

Easily access your favorite listings
Now that you have saved your pointers and comments into the directory you will be able to easily access and search the pointers for favorite listings. Adobe Reader 8.0 and higher provides excellent search capabilities by using its "Search PDF" pane. All search results, including those of the pointers and comments added by you to the directory, are shown on-the-fly in one pane. So, an advanced search for your favorite organizations will show you directly in one pane all those organizations marked by you as (for example) "My Favorite". No need to search them one-by-one again!

Update your personal directory
"My Directory" saves you time by speeding your searching and acts as an address book by letting you keep contact information for your favorite organizations so you never have to do multiple searches for them again. By adding pointers and comments to the directory file, you will also be able to directly update the contact information in your personal copy of the directory. Just add your updated information in a pointer or note created by you in the PDF-file and, with one click, save your updates in your own personal copy of the directory. All information will be available and searchable the next time you open your directory file.

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