The Internet plays a more important role than ever, serving as a lifeline so that children can continue learning, families and friends can stay connected, and vital public health information can keep circulating. At the Internet Society Foundation, we believe access to the Internet and its solutions can create healthier and safer communities, reduce vulnerabilities, and help build the resilience communities need to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge better prepared in the future.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve completed the selection process for our Emergency Response: COVID-19 grants, awarding USD$1.5 million in funding to four innovative projects that are using the Internet to help communities respond and adapt to the challenges created by the current pandemic.
The funding will support the following efforts around the globe:
- Expanding an online platform which connects and trains caregivers across Asia
- Extending the reach of a COVID-19 training program to support 10,000 health workers in five African countries
- Enabling a disaster response team to expand Internet connectivity for 24 critical primary health and coordination facilities across eight countries
- Expanding the scope of an innovative technology platform that supports fact-checkers in Latin America
Established in 2019 to support the positive difference the Internet can make to people everywhere, the Internet Society Foundation awards grants to Internet Society Chapters/Special Interest Groups (SIGs) as well as nonprofit organizations and individuals dedicated to providing meaningful access to an open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for everyone. The Internet Society Foundation will launch its next call for grant applications in late September 2020 for our Research Programme area.