Internet Organization Grants Funds to Nine Community Initiatives, Strengthening Internet Access in Underdeveloped Areas
The Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program, a joint initiative by the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation, has awarded grants to nine community-led projects across seven countries. These projects aim to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable Internet access to marginalized communities [1][2].
Here are the grantees and their projects:
- Centro de Investigación en Comunicación Comunitaria (Mexico): The Centre will develop connectivity in two indigenous communities in Campeche and Oaxaca by deploying infrastructure, ensuring affordability, building local technical capacity, and connecting community institutions [1][2].
- Environmental Women (Colombia): Led by indigenous women, Environmental Women will deploy solar-powered Internet solutions in the Andean Mountains to bring connectivity sustainably [2].
- Hahatay (Senegal): Hahatay will enhance an existing community network to improve digital access and opportunities [2].
- Kakuma Ventures (Kenya and Uganda): Kakuma Ventures will provide Internet access in refugee camps and rural areas, promoting digital literacy and sustainable livelihoods [1][2].
- Let’s Be Transformed (MAGUFINA) (Malawi): Let’s Be Transformed will launch a community network in Dzaleka Refugee Camp serving over 8,000 households, extending affordable Internet in a low-income refugee setting [1][2][4].
- Oasis Mathare Community Network (Kenya): Oasis Mathare Community Network will establish a sustainable, community-owned Internet network to empower local residents [1][2].
- Project Hello World (Uganda): Project Hello World will advance connectivity projects aimed at rural and underserved populations [1][2].
- Tariro Youth Development Foundation (Zimbabwe): Tariro Youth Development Foundation will expand solar-powered Wi-Fi and digital training to thousands of households, focusing on youth empowerment [2].
- Zimbabwe Community Network Initiatives (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe Community Network Initiatives will restore and upgrade damaged equipment in the Murambinda Community Network to improve connectivity [2].
These initiatives collectively seek to bridge the digital divide by strengthening Internet infrastructure, affordability, technical capacity, and community ownership in diverse regions with unique challenges to connectivity [1][2].
Due to the strong response, there will be no second application window in 2025 for this program [1][2]. These projects, through the power of Internet connectivity, will strengthen communities and contribute to the Internet Society's goal of providing access to affordable, reliable, and resilient Internet in underserved and unconnected areas.
- The projects granted by the Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program, such as the one led by Centro de Investigación en Comunicación Comunitaria in Mexico, aim to improve Internet infrastructure, ensuring affordable and sustainable Internet access, and empower local communities.
- Infrastructure and technology will be integrated into various community projects, like those led by Tariro Youth Development Foundation in Zimbabwe and Project Hello World in Uganda, through the deployment and enhancement of solar-powered networks to promote education, digitally empower youth, and increase community ownership.
