---
title: "Software Development: Building Digital Infrastructure for Civil Society"
date: 2025-01-15
featureImageCaption: Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@kellysikkema?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Kelly Sikkema</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-wearing-black-t-shirt-holding-white-computer-keyboard-YK0HPwWDJ1I?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>
summary: "Software development is a critical aspect of civil society's digital self-determination. This article explores how development practices, tools, and approaches can either reinforce dependency or enable self-determination, emphasizing the importance of building independent, adaptable, and resilient software systems."
---

## Introduction

Software development is not merely a technical activity but a form of infrastructure building with profound implications for human freedom and agency. As digital systems increasingly mediate civic life, the ability to create, modify, and control software becomes essential for civil society's independence and effectiveness.

In this article, we explore software development through the lens of civil society values—examining how development practices, tools, and approaches can either reinforce dependency or enable self-determination. We'll address both practical aspects of creating software and the broader implications of development choices for organizational autonomy and mission.

## Why Software Development Matters for Civil Society

Software plays multiple critical roles in civil society contexts:

### 1. Infrastructure for Independence

Software forms the foundation for independent digital operations:

- Custom tools that meet specific organizational needs
- Adaptable systems that evolve with changing circumstances
- Infrastructure resilient against external disruption or control
- Alternatives to extractive or surveillance-oriented commercial options

Organizations that can create and modify their own software maintain fundamental control over their digital environment.

### 2. Expression of Values in Code

Software development decisions directly embody organizational values:

- Privacy by design rather than as an afterthought
- Accessibility as a foundational requirement
- Transparency in operation and decision-making
- Inclusion through multilingual support and cultural adaptations
- Sustainability through efficient resource use

These values-in-code determine whether digital systems empower or constrain the communities they serve.

### 3. Capacity Building

Software development builds crucial organizational capabilities:

- Technical literacy throughout the organization
- Problem-solving skills applicable across domains
- Understanding of digital systems' possibilities and limitations
- Reduced dependency on external vendors or consultants
- Ability to evaluate and adapt external technologies

These capacities extend beyond software itself to strengthen overall organizational resilience.

## Self-Determination-Respecting Development Practices

Software development practices can either enhance or undermine digital self-determination. We advocate for approaches that:

### 1. Focus on Simplicity and Maintainability

Complex systems create dependency on their creators. Sovereign infrastructure prioritizes:

- Understandable code over clever solutions
- Maintainable architecture over cutting-edge complexity
- Documented designs that enable future modification
- Clear separation of concerns for easier adaptation
- Appropriate technology choices that balance capability and sustainability

These practices ensure systems remain under community control over time.

### 2. Build for Adaptability

Sovereign software anticipates the need for change:

- Modular architectures that allow component replacement
- Well-defined interfaces between system parts
- Configuration over hardcoding for easy adaptation
- Extension points for future functionality
- Clear migration paths between versions

This adaptability ensures systems can evolve with changing needs rather than requiring wholesale replacement.

### 3. Design for Resilience

Software should function in challenging contexts:

- Graceful degradation when resources are limited
- Offline capabilities when connectivity is unreliable
- Low resource requirements for accessibility on older hardware
- Data portability for migration between systems
- Resistance to common attacks and disruptions

These resilience characteristics are particularly important for organizations working in constrained environments.

### 4. Prioritize Transparency

Open development practices build trust and enable verification:

- Open source licensing for core functionality
- Public development repositories when appropriate
- Clear documentation of design decisions
- Transparent security practices and vulnerability handling
- Accountable processes for incorporating feedback

This transparency allows communities to verify that systems work as claimed and remain aligned with their values.

## Practical Software Development Approaches

For civil society organizations building software, certain approaches have proven particularly effective:

### Start with Clear Purpose

Effective development begins with purpose, not technology:

1. **Identify specific needs**: What concrete problems must be solved?
2. **Define key constraints**: What limitations must the solution respect?
3. **Articulate success criteria**: How will you know if the solution works?
4. **Consider context**: Who will use the system and under what conditions?
5. **Establish boundaries**: What is in and out of scope for the solution?

This purpose-driven approach ensures technology serves human needs rather than the reverse.

### Choose Appropriate Tools

Tool selection should balance multiple considerations:

1. **Community health**: Is there an active, diverse community supporting the tool?
2. **Self-determination implications**: Does the tool create new dependencies?
3. **Learning curve**: Can your team develop and maintain expertise?
4. **Longevity**: Is the tool likely to remain viable over your project's lifetime?
5. **Resource requirements**: Does the tool work within your constraints?

These considerations should outweigh trendiness or corporate backing when evaluating options.

### Build Incrementally

Incremental development reduces risk and enables adaptation:

1. **Identify minimum viable functionality**: What's the simplest version that provides value?
2. **Create end-to-end prototypes**: Build thin slices of complete functionality
3. **Gather early feedback**: Test with real users from the beginning
4. **Iterate based on experience**: Let real use guide further development
5. **Deploy frequently**: Get working code into users' hands regularly

This approach builds momentum while avoiding overcommitment to unproven designs.

### Document Thoughtfully

Documentation creates institutional memory and enables independence:

1. **Document decisions, not just code**: Explain why choices were made
2. **Focus on mental models**: Help readers understand the system conceptually
3. **Keep documentation close to code**: Maintain alignment as the system evolves
4. **Consider multiple audiences**: Address both developers and users
5. **Document limitations**: Be clear about what the system doesn't do

Good documentation transforms software from a black box to a maintainable community resource.

## Common Development Challenges in Civil Society Contexts

Civil society organizations face specific challenges when developing software:

### Limited Resources

Most civil society organizations operate with constrained resources:

**Challenges**:

- Limited developer time and expertise
- Restricted budgets for tools and infrastructure
- Pressure to deliver quickly with minimal investment
- Difficulty competing with commercial salaries

**Approaches**:

- Leverage open source components to reduce development effort
- Build incrementally to deliver value sooner
- Focus on core differentiators rather than reinventing common components
- Invest in developer tooling that multiplies productivity
- Consider contributor models that engage volunteers effectively

### Technical Debt Management

Resource constraints often lead to accumulated technical debt:

**Challenges**:

- Pressure to deliver features over maintaining code quality
- Limited time for refactoring and improvement
- Difficulty justifying "invisible" maintenance work
- Risk of system breakdown as debt accumulates

**Approaches**:

- Budget maintenance time as part of regular development
- Document technical debt explicitly to make it visible
- Address debt incrementally rather than in "big bang" efforts
- Emphasize the mission cost of technical debt
- Design with maintenance in mind from the beginning

### Knowledge Continuity

Civil society organizations often experience higher turnover:

**Challenges**:

- Knowledge loss when key contributors leave
- Difficulty onboarding new developers
- Overreliance on individual "heroes" rather than processes
- Institutional memory gaps regarding past decisions

**Approaches**:

- Document architecture and key decisions explicitly
- Create onboarding materials that explain the big picture
- Build a "contribution ladder" with graduated responsibility
- Prefer common patterns that new contributors can recognize
- Conduct regular knowledge-sharing sessions

### Security Considerations

Civil society organizations may face elevated security threats:

**Challenges**:

- Targeted attacks from sophisticated adversaries
- Limited security expertise on small teams
- Difficulty evaluating security trade-offs
- Balancing security with usability

**Approaches**:

- Adopt secure-by-default frameworks and platforms
- Implement defense in depth rather than single protections
- Focus on basic security hygiene consistently applied
- Document security decisions and assumptions
- Cultivate relationships with security professionals

## Technology Selection Guidelines

For civil society organizations, technology selection involves balancing multiple considerations:

### Language and Framework Selection

Programming languages and frameworks establish fundamental constraints:

**Key considerations**:

- Community health and governance
- Availability of developers in your context
- Learning curve for new contributors
- Long-term maintenance outlook
- Performance characteristics relative to your needs
- Security track record and approach

**Civil society-aligned options**:

- Python: Readable, widely taught, strong in data processing
- JavaScript/TypeScript: Ubiquitous, large ecosystem, runs everywhere
- Ruby: Optimized for developer happiness, strong web framework
- Rust: Memory safety without runtime overhead, growing ecosystem
- Go: Simple, efficient, excellent for networked services

### Database and Storage Technologies

Data storage choices have significant self-determination implications:

**Key considerations**:

- Data ownership and portability
- Query capabilities for your access patterns
- Operational complexity and maintenance requirements
- Resource consumption relative to your constraints
- Backup and recovery options

**Civil society-aligned options**:

- PostgreSQL: Full-featured, mature, community-governed
- SQLite: Zero-configuration, embedded, excellent for smaller applications
- Local file storage with structured formats (JSON, CSV, etc.)
- CouchDB/PouchDB: Synchronization-focused, offline-capable
- Content-addressable storage for immutable data

### Infrastructure and Deployment

Deployment infrastructure determines operational dependency:

**Key considerations**:

- Control over computing environment
- Vendor lock-in potential
- Resource requirements and costs
- Operational complexity
- Geographic distribution options

**Civil society-aligned options**:

- Self-hosted infrastructure on owned hardware
- Container-based deployment for portability
- Static site generation for content-focused applications
- Lightweight virtualization for efficient resource use
- Peer-to-peer approaches for certain applications

## Case Studies in Civil Society Software Development

Several examples illustrate effective approaches to civil society software development:

### Case Study 1: SecureDrop

SecureDrop, an anonymous whistleblowing platform, demonstrates several self-determination-respecting practices:

- **Air-gapped architecture** protects sources even from sophisticated adversaries
- **Clear documentation** enables independent verification and deployment
- **Security-focused design** prioritizes source protection above all else
- **Simple installation** makes deployment accessible to non-specialists
- **Regular auditing** builds trust in critical security properties

This system enables newsrooms to protect sources without depending on third-party services that could be compromised or coerced.

### Case Study 2: Community Cellular Networks

Community cellular network software demonstrates adaptability to challenging environments:

- **Offline-first design** works in intermittent connectivity
- **Low resource requirements** run on affordable hardware
- **Local administration** puts control in community hands
- **Modular architecture** enables customization to local needs
- **Open interfaces** allow integration with existing systems

These systems enable communities to build their own communications infrastructure when commercial providers won't serve them or do so only on extractive terms.

### Case Study 3: Humanitarian Data Platform

A humanitarian data collection platform demonstrates sensitive data handling:

- **Local-first processing** minimizes data transmission risks
- **End-to-end encryption** protects sensitive information
- **Consent-driven design** gives data subjects control
- **Minimal collection** reduces vulnerability surface
- **Anonymization by default** protects individuals

This approach balances the need for information in crisis response with protecting vulnerable populations from surveillance or targeting.

## Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Civil society software projects should be aware of common challenges:

### 1. Technology-First Thinking

**The pitfall**: Choosing technologies based on novelty or developer interest rather than appropriateness for the problem.

**The impact**: Systems that are difficult to maintain, consume excessive resources, or create new dependencies.

**The alternative**: Start with clear problem definition and constraints, then select technologies that fit those parameters.

### 2. Reinventing Common Components

**The pitfall**: Building custom solutions for problems that have well-established, maintained solutions available.

**The impact**: Wasted development resources and ongoing maintenance burden.

**The alternative**: Leverage existing components for common functionality, focusing custom development on your unique value.

### 3. Ignoring Operational Realities

**The pitfall**: Designing systems that assume ideal conditions rather than the actual environments where they'll run.

**The impact**: Systems that fail in real-world conditions or require unrealistic operational support.

**The alternative**: Design for the actual constraints of your operating environment, not theoretical ideals.

### 4. Perfectionism Over Progress

**The pitfall**: Delaying releases until everything is "perfect" rather than delivering incremental value.

**The impact**: Delayed impact, wasted resources on unused features, and missed feedback opportunities.

**The alternative**: Define minimal viable functionality and release early, iterating based on actual usage.

### 5. Neglecting Usability

**The pitfall**: Focusing on technical elegance over user experience, particularly for non-technical users.

**The impact**: Systems that work technically but see limited adoption or effective use.

**The alternative**: Involve users from the beginning and regularly test with representative users.

## Building Your Software Development Capacity

Organizations can build their software development capabilities through several approaches:

### 1. Start Small and Focused

- Begin with well-defined, contained projects
- Solve specific problems rather than building platforms
- Gain confidence and skills through completion
- Learn about your organization's specific challenges
- Build on successes rather than overreaching

### 2. Invest in Learning

- Allocate time for structured learning and exploration
- Build relationships with more experienced developers
- Participate in open source projects to gain experience
- Document and share learning within your organization
- Create opportunities for pair programming and mentorship

### 3. Engage with Communities of Practice

- Join communities working on similar problems
- Contribute to related open source projects
- Attend conferences and events in your domain
- Share your challenges and solutions publicly
- Collaborate with allied organizations on common needs

### 4. Focus on Fundamentals

- Invest in version control practices
- Establish testing as a core practice
- Create clear documentation habits
- Build deployment automation early
- Maintain regular code review practices

These fundamentals provide greater return on investment than pursuing the latest trends.

## The Future of Civil Society Software Development

Several emerging trends and opportunities will shape civil society software development:

### 1. Local-First Software

The local-first approach prioritizes user control while enabling collaboration:

- Data lives primarily on user devices, not in the cloud
- Synchronization happens peer-to-peer when possible
- Applications work offline by default
- User self-determination over data is a foundational principle
- Collaboration happens without centralized control

This paradigm aligns closely with civil society's self-determination principles.

### 2. Small-Scale Machine Learning

Machine learning is becoming accessible to smaller organizations:

- Pre-trained models reduce resource requirements
- Federated approaches preserve data self-determination
- On-device inference enables privacy-preserving intelligence
- Transfer learning makes specialized applications viable
- Community datasets enable alternatives to corporate AI

These approaches allow civil society to leverage AI's capabilities without surrendering control.

### 3. Mesh Networks and Peer-to-Peer Systems

Distributed infrastructure creates resilience:

- Applications designed for peer-to-peer operation
- Local-first storage with selective synchronization
- Mesh networking for communication independence
- Cryptographic approaches to trust without centralization
- Resilience against network disruption or control

These architectures align technology design with civil society's distributed nature.

### 4. Low-Code Development

More accessible development tools expand who can create software:

- Visual programming environments reducing required expertise
- Component libraries for common functionality
- Simplified deployment and operation
- Documentation-generating tools
- Progressive complexity enabling skill growth

These approaches make software development accessible to more civil society organizations.

## Conclusion

Software development for civil society is not merely about creating tools but about building infrastructure for human freedom and agency. The technical choices organizations make have profound implications for who controls the digital systems mediating civic participation.

The Civil Society Technology Foundation advocates for development approaches that prioritize self-determination, resilience, and community control—recognizing that software created with these values will better serve civil society's mission than technologies that create new dependencies or vulnerabilities.

By building software with these principles in mind, civil society organizations don't just solve immediate problems but contribute to a digital ecosystem that reinforces rather than undermines human agency and collective action—the foundation upon which civil society itself rests.
