Today AmLab, short for Amsterdam Lab, opens its doors. AmLab (@Am_Lab) is founded by Text to Change, akvo.org and 1%CLUB who decided to join forces and build an Innovation Lab for Web and Mobile for International Development in Amsterdam. The location is stunning – the former Dutch West Indian Trading Company headquarters in Amsterdam, built in 1642.

(photos by Mark Charmer)

INNOVATION HOTSPOT

All three organisations are innovators in international development and cooperation and use new approaches and tools. As all three organizations are believers of Tech for Development, Open Source, Co-Creation, Crowdsourcing and Linked Open Data we have the ambition to be the front-runners in this field. The goal is to create a hotspot for innovation and development of new tools and approaches and where people can work together on new ideas.

AmLab IS A SPACE WHERE...

• Text to Change, akvo.org and 1%CLUB host their offices
• New tools and solutions for international cooperation are being developed
• We develop open source software solutions together
• People organise presentations, meetups, bootcamps and hackathons where innovators, change-makers, techies and social entrepreneurs can meet
• There are great connections to other innovation labs all over the world

Text to Change (www.texttochange.org) (TTC) combines the increasing growth of mobile telephony with the need for better healthcare projects, innovative education, economic development and transparency. TTC uses sophisticated mobile phone technology to send out and receive information on such issues in Africa and South America. TTC's pioneering model is based on interactive and incentive based SMS programmes. Together with their local partners, TTC aims to support change by increasing awareness and enabling citizens to take their health and well being into their own hands.

Akvo.org (www.akvo.org) creates open source web and mobile software, and builds networks of skilled partners that can change the way development aid is allocated and reported. This is important, because it improves the way projects are implemented in some of the poorest parts of the world, making them more effective, efficient, sustainable and visible. Many of Akvo’s partners focus on water and sanitation, but Akvo now also covers health, education, economic development and IT projects.

1%CLUB (www.onepercentclub.com) is the online crowdfunding platform that connects people with smart ideas with people, money and knowledge around the world.So far over 500,000 euro was collected online which made it possible to fund over 200 out of the 300 projects in 62 countries. 1%CLUB is the founder of the NaiLab Incubation Space in Nairobi and organizes the yearly 1%EVENT and monthly Co-Creation Sessions where they connect change makers en young professionals all over the world.

HOUSEWARMING AmLab

AmLab is situated at ‘s Gravenhekje 1a Amsterdam (Google Maps) on the ground floor of the old “West Indian Warehouse” in Amsterdam. The Warehouse has a lot of history (as described in the blog by Peter) and with AmLab we hope to use the space to shape a new future for International Development. This afternoon is the launch and house warming of AmLab. The interior designers from “Gevonden op Marktplaats” decorated the space with secondhand furniture. We are honored that the major of Appsterdam will do the official opening. See you in AmLab!