How we work
We are a non-profit organization that brings together volunteer work with associations that benefit from using data in their daily activities.
Who are the beneficiaries
Public, governmental, private or non-profit institutions that work on projects with social impact
These institutions are expected to have:
Problems to solve
Your challenges are our starting point. We are looking to solve the most pressing problems that can benefit from data analysis.
Collected data or potential to collect
Datasets contain relevant information from your business. That is where we will get hidden insights from.
AVAILABILITY TO COLLABORATE
Project success is highly dependent on the commitment of the Beneficiary. (Ex: availability to clarify doubts, provide feedback).
How can we help a beneficiary?
Optimize Resources
Resources are often scarce for an organization. By using data, you can manage the allocation of your resources more wisely.
Maximize efficieny
Data has the power to bring an analysis closer to reality. Decision-makers can make the best decision in view of the circumstances in a future scenario.
Increase Impact
An organization's mission is its promise. Data can reveal how much impact your programs are having on the community or area where you operate.
Does your organization need a data project?
Sounds like your organization needs a data project? We are always on the lookout for a new challenge. Drop us a note here to see if we can help you.
Want to be part of the fun and create data impact?
We welcome volunteers with all types of profiles. You don’t need to be a data scientist, there’s lots of ways that you can get involved with using Data for Good. You can find more info below!
Project Timeline
Here is how a typical project creation with a new beneficiary is structured
Frequently Asked Questions - Volunteers
DSSG offers projects designed with and for charities, nonprofits and public administration. Occasionally, we may offer projects in partnership with companies, if (and only if) the project has no profitability goals and significant social impact. We try to pick beneficiaries whose mission is aligned with at least one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
When designing projects, we give priority to the creation of value for the beneficiary. Depending on the beneficiary, value may be found in different stages of the Data Science pipeline, so each project will be unique: while one may require a lot of data cleaning and visualization/exploration, another may be about developing predictive models. Our commitment to develop concrete deliverables is transversal to all projects.. So developing (interactive) reports, web or smartphones apps is almost a given.
A DSSG volunteer project’s team consists of a Project Lead (PL) and Makers. There is a variable number of volunteers (up to a maximum team size of 5 to 6 people). We promote very flat and informal team hierarchies, so think of Project Lead as a moderator, rather than a supervisor.
Each person will get something different from this experience. Some people highlight the opportunity to use their skills for social good causes, while others value the networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities with other data enthusiasts. The projects are also a great way to pick up new skills in the best of the learning environments: the real world.
To maximize project’s delivery success and promote a balanced work rhythm, we usually settle on projects with clearly defined goals and estimated durations of 2-3 months.
We expect volunteers to be able to dedicate 2-3 hours per week to a project. This weekly commitment is, of course, flexible: in certain weeks the project itself may slow down a bit, while in others you may be extra caught up with work/school/life. If you will be less available on a specific week, just let your Project Manager and Team know ASAP, so they can plan in advance.
Yes. Some teams work entirely remotely, while others combine working face to face with working remotely (taking into account safety measures). This will be discussed and decided during both recruitment and Project Kick-Off. Regardless, we provide standard industry tools for remote development and collaboration (project management, code hosting, issue tracking, instant communication, video calling, etc).
Once the project is over, we will have a feedback session with the beneficiary. Within 6 months of the project’s completion, we will check in with the beneficiary to evaluate how they have benefited from our project. These insights will be shared with everyone involved in the project.
Once the project is completed, you will be invited to share your experience in the DSSG Blog, by writing a collaborative blog post with your team and the beneficiary. You are encouraged to share this on your social networks. You will also be added to the project’s team on DSSG’s website and will receive a certificate of this volunteering experience.