Axelerant’s IDMC Digital Overhaul Earns Splash Awards Asia Nomination

The first-ever Splash Awards Asia is just days away and The DropTimes is here with our second finalist. Axelerant, a digital agency rooted in India and now spread over eight countries has bagged a nomination in the 'not for profit' category for their IDMC project. The project has also captured a recent recognition by being the runner-up under the "Project of the Year - Micro" category at PMI South Asia Awards 2024.

This year Splash Awards marks its tenth anniversary and many extraordinary projects are in the spotlight. Stay with us for more updates on the "Splash Award Finalists series".

Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), established in 1998 under the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is a globally recognized authority on internal displacement. It provides vital data, analysis, and expertise on displacement caused by conflict, disasters, violence, and development projects. With operations spanning 148 countries and insights into over 71 million displacements, IDMC’s work influences policy and supports solutions to improve the lives of internally displaced people (IDPs).

The Challenge  

IDMC faced significant obstacles due to its outdated website, which hindered its mission of influencing policy and improving the lives of displaced populations. The website’s design was outdated and visually unappealing, causing frustration for users. Navigation challenges made it difficult to find information efficiently, while poor search functionality led users to rely on external search engines, reducing engagement. Additionally, legacy code and insufficient documentation complicated maintenance efforts, while the lack of responsiveness across devices negatively impacted accessibility. Editors and administrators struggled with sub-par tools for content management, and the monolithic Drupal 9 system limited scalability and modern feature implementation. A comprehensive overhaul was necessary to address these issues and enhance the platform’s overall effectiveness.

The Solution  

Axelerant delivered a state-of-the-art solution for IDMC’s digital transformation. A new, visually appealing website was designed in collaboration with an external partner, improving aesthetics and usability. Navigation was streamlined to guide users effortlessly, while a robust internal search system replaced the outdated functionality, offering faster and more accurate results. The codebase was refactored to optimize performance and enhance maintainability, supported by comprehensive documentation for future use. A mobile-first design ensured seamless accessibility across devices, and user-friendly content management tools within Drupal were implemented to simplify workflows for editors and administrators. The migration from Drupal 9 to Drupal 10 successfully addressed the limitations of the previous system, providing a scalable and secure platform for IDMC’s ongoing initiatives.

The Result  

IDMC now benefits from a high-performing, secure, and user-friendly website that significantly enhances its mission-driven efforts. The accessibility score improved by 28%, increasing inclusivity, while SEO performance saw a 49% boost, amplifying visibility. Additionally, website performance improved by 38%, ensuring faster responsiveness and better user engagement. 

With its decoupled architecture powered by Drupal 10 and Gatsby, the platform is now positioned for future scalability and growth. The successful transformation underscores the pivotal role of IDMC’s website in influencing policy, engaging users, and addressing global displacement challenges. Looking ahead, Phase 2 will focus on implementing the Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID) and enhancing features to further amplify IDMC’s impact.

Celebrating the Recognition

The DropTimes reached out to Prateek Jain, Director of Digital Experience Platforms at Axelerant to know about their thoughts on this recognition and here is what he had to say,

"I’m incredibly proud of my Axelerant team and our fantastic work for IDMC. This project is an excellent example of how technology, when used thoughtfully, can genuinely make a difference.

Being nominated for the Splash Awards at DrupalCon Singapore means so much to us—not just for the technical innovation of using headless Drupal but also for the impact it’s helping create. By improving IDMC’s digital ecosystem, we’ve made it easier for them to provide the actionable data the world needs to address displacement. It’s been an honor to be part of something so meaningful."

concludes Prateek.