Catalpa International is an Australian based non-governmental organisation that utilises both academic research and information technology to make a practical difference to the lives of people in the developing world.

Traditional conceptions of development have focussed on sectorial divides, such as education, health, and public sector reform. Catalpa International however, takes an information approach to development, focussing on how data collection, transmission and dissemination can create exponential gains across a number of sectors.

Catalpa International is particularly focussed on effecting change in rural Timor-Leste. To date, the majority of international development assistance has been focussed on the urban centre of Dili. However, in rural Timor, development indicators are significantly worse than in urban areas, and the needs of the people tend to be greater. Compounding this issue, is the considerable lack of accurate development data regarding the conditions and causes of poverty, further inhibiting the ability of the international community to effectively channel development aid.

By utilising innovative hardware and infrastructure such as wireless communications networks, and open source software, Catalpa International aims to use these technologies to make a difference in the rural communities we serve and remove many of the barriers to combating poverty.