We embed people's creativity and local resources into new technologies for end-users independence
Snail Aid - Technology for Development - is a no profit association researching and implementing technologies for sustainable development, both in
The main aim of the association is to rise awareness about the importance of technology designed in a participatory way together with end-users as tool to favor human development; while enhancing and formalizing technical education we aim at fostering innovation to solve practical problems.
In this context particular importance is given to the implementation of technologies with low impact on the environment, that allow sustainable development, enhancing end-users living conditions without compromising their ability to enjoy the environment they live in. Through training activities, always based on participatory techniques, the association also favors worldwide citizenship behaviors and rises awareness on climate change issue, promoting energy saving policies and the use of appropriate technologies.
The snail, chosen as symbol of the association, represents the participatory design methodology used to implement new technologies, called the Snail System. It is an iterative design cycle in which end-users are involved at all design stages.
Formal aims of the association are:
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Research and development of technologies aimed at enhancing end-users human development, as answer to real needs, using the participatory design methodology called the Snail System
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Promoting attitude toward technical innovation in developing countries
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Rise awareness about the importance technology designed in a participatory way together with end-users can assume in development
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While the activities the association is involved in, are:
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Research projects aimed at developing technologies solving real problems, low-cost and of immediate impact, in collaboration with local entities
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Implementation of engineering works aimed at improving socio-hygienic conditions in developing countries
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Information sharing and technical training of local people, with particular attention to make educational activities easily reproducible
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Technical alphabetization of weak subjects such as children and women
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Knowledge transfer between different realities with similar problems
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Promotion of collaboration between research entities (universities, foundations,..) and local communities
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Promotion of cultural initiatives related to association aims
