Accurate, accessible and timely information is essential for people in times of crisis.
Signpost is changing how that’s done.
79 million people reached
with Signpost information products, helping them access resources and make informed decisions
12 million unique Signpost users
actively engaging with Signpost content across all programs via websites and social media
20 countries
25 languages
Information is Power
Signpost is an interagency project that creates digital help centers to empower people impacted by conflict, disasters, poverty and violence. Driven by community needs, these help centers allow clients to access essential services and make informed decisions on the issues that matter most to them.
First of its Kind
Signpost is the world’s first scalable approach to running community-driven, responsive information platforms.
People impacted by humanitarian crises and disasters are often forced to make critical, life-changing decisions throughout the arc of a crisis to adapt and survive. No matter where they are along their journey to safety, people and families are met with a perplexing list of questions:
If I choose to leave my home with my children, where will I stay between here and the displacement camps?
What programs exist to help me financially?
Is there a way to get medicine for my son’s diabetes along the way and when I arrive?
Unfortunately, the humanitarian sector does not consistently offer reliable, responsive information that responds to people’s needs during crises. Many of the more effective communication approaches have either relied on providers at the center, only existed for a short period of time or are hyper-specific and not scalable.
Signpost is the first of its kind to address these problems through community-based initiatives on a global scale. Signpost partners with leading technology companies to power a network of social media channels and websites that deliver information products and enable two-way communication. Signpost programs are implemented by local teams and adapted to fit their unique context.
Who Are We?
Led by the International Rescue Committee, Signpost is an open-consortium project currently comprised of IRC, Internews and Mercy Corps — who contribute their expertise to deliver empowerment through information for those who need it most.
About Us →
Where We Work
How We Work
Signpost programs deliver critical information through a network of social media channels and websites that deliver information products and enable two-way communication — providing communities with timely and actionable information to make critical decisions on the issues that matter most to them.
Signpost programs are adapted by local teams to fit their unique context. They actively respond to the dynamic needs of the target population as they change over time.
Signpost is enabled by three core components:
Signpost programs build on an existing evidence base, which guides best practice and allows us to best serve our clients worldwide. Signpost is aiming to launch robust research tracks into the impact of information, to further shape our programming approach.
Evidence-Based Programming
Signpost uses powerful, cutting-edge tools that support a flexible, scalable information platform — ensuring client interactions are efficient, effective and safe. A customizable platform allows us to meet needs across contexts, including our most marginal and remote clients.
Technology
Signpost works with a wide range of INGO, local organizations and tech partners — ensuring programs have the best technical expertise, contextual and local knowledge and software support into a comprehensive suite of tools and services.
Partnerships
Our Technology
Signpost works on technology in partnership with the best tech companies in the private sector — advancing meaningful humanitarian and development outcomes. Signpost deploys technology tools to increase the reach, quality, and impact of its programming approach. Within 48 hours, the Signpost tech team can deploy its core offerings to any crisis worldwide.
caption on hover describing what the photo shows in context
Partners
Signpost builds programs through partnerships across industries and sectors. Signpost is always deeply embedded in civil society, connecting to the deep, contextual knowledge that only local communities have. With that knowledge, Signpost partners with leading technology companies — such as Google.org, Zendesk and Cisco — to bring cutting-edge technology to the aid sector
Partners →
