This year Twestival happened on the 25th of March raising approximately (money is still flowing in) $400,000 for Concern Worldwide through events organized in 175 cities. Concern Worldwide is a charity providing education for children living in developing countries, and we chose it through a voting of organizers of previous Twestival events.

Twestival Global from @Twestival on Vimeo.

Through global office, regional co-ordinators and local organizers and their team of volunteers on one day in March masses of committed people joined to celebrate the power of giving. The reason why I feel strongly about this particular project is because as the local organizer of Oxford Twestival already for 3rd time in the history of Oxford community I was privileged to work on it and see the power of social media tools in action. With about 4 weeks worth of voluntary work, creative ideas and discussions to local Twitter users, venues and artists we have managed to put together a programme of three events. With no initial budget and hardly any costs we have raised £1,000 for Concern Worldwide, but also proved that local community is eager to respond to call for action if incentivized by local members and offering of interesting experiences, entertainment and fun. Our social media panel resulted in both off-line as well as virtual attendees, our evening gig was streamed life too. Additionally we all had a wonderful feeling of becoming a part of the global movement, feeling honored to bring our local heritage (Twitter Song of Ben Walker, but also specialist knowledge of social media for education) to be a part of such a multicultural, enormous team of people.

Last weekend was time for all of us to rest and reflect on the meaning and potential of Twestival. For each of us, volunteers, the network of involved people is obviously very valuable, but moving to the next level we started discussions about how Twestival can serve as a model for other initiatives. The idea of one central office open to any volunteers, locations and ideas as to how to organize the fundraising events proved highly functional. Factor of virtual communication, co-operation of organizers and discourse before, during and after event enabled faster and better results.

Just so I do not sound overoptimistic I have asked two people to share their opinion about Twestival and role of social media in their work. Fundraising Development Executive of Concern Worldwide, Robyn Cummins, responded to my questions over e-mail:

Sylwia: How will Concern Worldwide benefit from the support of Twestival Global 2010?

Robyn: All funds raised by Twestival will support our education programmes. More than one in ten children living in the developing world never gets the chance to go to school. Without a basic education, these children will remain trapped in the cycle of poverty. Concern aims to improve access to education for all children, especially girls and working children. We work closely with communities and local government to build and renovate schools, train teachers, develop and print curriculum, and provide books, desks and other essential learning materials.

The £1,000 raised by Oxford Twestival could help Concern to train 7 teachers through special distance education programmes, helping them build the skills and knowledge they need.

Sylwia: What do you think is the role of new media in actual support of developing countries - based on example of Twestival?

Robyn: Twestival is a fantastic example of the difference that can be made when individuals join together to volunteer and take action. Tools such as Twitter provide a unique platform through which you can engage people and gather momentum for support. The funds raised alone are a fantastic contribution to our work in some of the world’s poorest countries, but Twestival has also helped to bring the cause of education closer to people and raise awareness about our work.

Sylwia: In what areas of your work do you find social media effective for your work?

Robyn: We use social media for a huge variety of things from  fundraising and awareness raising to keeping supporters up to date with our work. Social media can be very effective in our campaigning and advocacy work, engaging supporters and quickly spreading the word, and it can also provide supporters with forums to share fundraising ideas and meet each other, building up a real community.

My regional Co-ordinator, Claire Thompson, has agreed to talk to me on the phone:

Well, I am not a doctor (silly iPadio;)) but I do advice you to check the discussions under #oxtwestival and #twestival tag on Twitter, or follow @twestival and @twestivaluk for updates!

Now, that you can put some faces to the event, I would like to hear what you think of it. Have you heard of Twestival? If so, what do you think of it? Let me know!