We are pleased to announce grant funding to five organizations to promote digital inclusion through the Strengthening Communities, Improving Lives and Livelihoods (SCILLS) program. Established in 2020, the SCILLS program aims to expand economic growth and increase educational opportunities by supporting individuals and communities to more knowledgeably and skillfully use the Internet. The long-term aim of the program is to play a key role in digital transformation.
The selected projects, which have been renewed for two additional years of funding are:
Bangladesh
- Tech Soup in partnership with Teach for Bangladesh – $267,498 to promote the use of mobile Internet for learning in Bangladesh, building the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviors for 5,000 marginalized children, 200 teachers, and 2,000 parents to adopt online learning.
Colombia
- Asociación Colnodo in partnership with Fundación Capital –$267,500 to promote the resilience of 500 female micro-entrepreneurs through digital trainings, and personal coaching sessions.
- Makaia – $249,552 to close the digital gender gap and build IT and programing skills among 165 NEET (not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth in rural areas.
Senegal
- Croissance TIC Dakar – $249,943 to build entrepreneurial skills and digital competency, as well as facilitate access to finance for 500 early stage and growth-oriented entrepreneurs.
- Synergie pour l’Éducation aux Numériques et aux Médias – $149,421 to train teachers on how to use the Internet to improve their teaching, and support students in building ICT skills through “tech clubs” and inter-collegial hackathons.
The SCILLS program is currently active in Bangladesh, Colombia and Senegal, and will expand to Brazil, Ghana and Indonesia in 2023. Through these grants, the Internet Society Foundation looks forward to supporting communities in acquiring critical digital skills that hold the potential to improve education and economic outcomes.