Making the connection: Civil society and social media
Over 70% of UK civil society organisations use social media ? websites, services and applications that allow users to engage in social behaviours online or on a mobile phone ? but research shows it is not always being used effectively. Poor web design, a lack of stakeholder engagement and common misconceptions about user groups are some issues. Resistance to new technology by management and trustees is also causing problems. This report combines extensive research and analysis of current trends with a vision for the future ? looking out to 2025 ? that envisages how developments in social technologies will shape the social web and society. Drawing on this, it makes a number of recommendations to governments, funding organisations and civil society associations about how social media should be used, supported and developed in order for it to achieve its powerful potential as a vehicle for civil society organisations to become more efficient, more capable and more adaptable. This report was commissioned to inform the work of the Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society in the UK and Ireland. To view the Final Report, please see:http://www.scvo.org.uk/EvidenceLibrary/Home/ReadResearchItem.aspx?f=h&rid=1049
