Welcome to "A Generation of Doers," 5th Edition, a monthly series highlighting the impactful work of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Government Innovation Fellows. This fellowship, a collaboration between Code for Pakistan and the KP IT Board since 2014, unites technologists, designers, and researchers to create digital solutions that improve governance and public services.

This edition focuses on an innovative digital solution developed for the KP Social Welfare Department, aimed at streamlining the registration process for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs). The Fellows have developed an online platform to digitize the previously manual registration system, significantly improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.

Meet the Fellows

• Maryam Siraj – UI/UX Designer
  Designing intuitive user interfaces and user experiences.
• Muhammad Hakim – MERN Stack Developer
  Developing robust and secure digital platforms.
   
• Ibraheem – Senior Manager, Code for Pakistan
  Overseeing the strategic execution and implementation of the project.

Inside the Fellowship: Their Journey & Work

What motivated you to join the KP Government Innovation Fellowship, and how does it align with your career goals?

• Maryam Siraj: Joining the Fellowship was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. It allowed me to work on real government projects, significantly enhancing my professional skills in teamwork, project management, and digital transformation. The experience gave me the confidence to create meaningful, user-centric solutions for society.
  Muhammad Hakim: The Fellowship aligned perfectly with my career aspirations to enhance e-governance and digital services through innovative technology. It enabled me to refine my technical skills, collaborate with government stakeholders, and contribute to impactful open-source projects.

Can you describe the digital solution you developed for the Social Welfare Department? What problem does it address, and what was your role?

• Maryam Siraj: Our solution digitizes the NGO/NPO registration process, previously manual, slow, and prone to errors. The platform allows organizations to submit applications online, track their progress, and communicate efficiently with the department. My role as a UI/UX designer was to create intuitive wireframes, prototypes, and user flows to enhance usability and accessibility.
• Muhammad Hakim: We developed an online system to simplify the registration and management process for NGOs/NPOs. As a MERN stack developer, I built a robust backend API, responsive frontend interface, integrated secure databases, and implemented comprehensive security measures to protect sensitive data.
• Ibraheem: The digital solution addresses the inefficiencies of the existing manual system, which could take months for registration. It includes an online registration system and digitizes over 1,400 NGO records, enhancing transparency and efficiency.

What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?

• Maryam Siraj: A significant challenge was the initial lack of discovery research. We overcame this by conducting extensive meetings with the Social Welfare Department, iterating multiple prototypes to finalize a design aligned with user requirements.
• Muhammad Hakim: Ensuring security, scalability, and seamless integration with existing departmental workflows posed challenges. We implemented robust security protocols, ensured system scalability, and closely collaborated with departmental staff to align our solution with their workflows and needs.
• Ibraheem: Ensuring the system was efficient and user-friendly for diverse users was crucial. With guidance from Masna Bin Umeed, Code for Pakistan’s User Experience Strategist, we developed a comprehensive design system that streamlined registration processes, minimized errors, and enhanced collaboration. 

What impact do you anticipate this project having on NGOs, NPOs, and the Social Welfare Department?

• Maryam Siraj: The project will dramatically streamline registration, reducing paperwork and delays. Enhanced transparency and efficiency will improve communication and record management, benefiting both NGOs/NPOs and the department.
• Muhammad Hakim: By digitizing processes, we aim to facilitate quicker, transparent, and more efficient registrations. The system will reduce departmental workloads, enhance accountability, and empower NGOs/NPOs to serve their communities better.
• Ibraheem: The new system will significantly reduce registration processing time, improve transparency, and facilitate real-time updates, creating long-term efficiency and accessibility benefits for NGOs and the department. 

What skills or experiences are you developing through the Fellowship, and how will they impact your future work?

• Maryam Siraj: The Fellowship allowed me to enhance my UI/UX skills by addressing real-world government challenges. Collaborating with diverse teams improved my problem-solving, communication, and project management skills, equipping me to create impactful digital solutions in the future.
• Muhammad Hakim: I'm developing critical skills in project management, stakeholder collaboration, and scalable software development. These skills will enable me to create digital solutions that improve governance and deliver tangible social impact. 

The digital solution for the Social Welfare Department is currently undergoing final testing phases. In the coming months, the Fellows will continue collaborating with departmental stakeholders to refine the platform and maximize its impact.

Stay tuned for more stories of innovation and impact from the KP Government Innovation Fellows. Share your feedback and ideas at info@codeforpakistan.org.