The Internet Society Foundation is pleased to share the 2024 Resiliency Grant Program grantees. Nine impressive projects have been awarded funding for projects that increase network resiliency in communities prone to natural and climate-related disasters. Through these projects and the work of grantees, communities are better able to prepare for and withstand the effects of natural disasters on Internet connectivity.
Since its establishment in 2021, this program has been instrumental in strengthening Internet infrastructure, ensuring disaster readiness, and maintaining or restoring connectivity during emergencies. The selected projects span diverse approaches and regions, each contributing to the overarching goal of enhancing Internet resiliency in regions prone to natural disasters.
Resiliency Program 2024 Awardees
Associação MegaEdu – Brazil – USD $199,948
Associação MegaEdu will support re-establishing internet connectivity for impacted communities in Rio Grande do Sul after the 2024 flooding. Hundreds of thousands of students were impacted and many schools had their connectivity infrastructure destroyed. They will facilitate the reconstruction of essential Internet infrastructure and to equip schools to become resilient Internet hubs in times of natural disasters.
Battery Operated Systems for Community Outreach Uganda Ltd. (BOSCO-U) – Uganda – USD $279,025
BOSCO-U will rebuild two towers destroyed by natural disasters and to increase resiliency and safeguard community Information and Communications Technology centers in the Acholi Sub-Region. This project will also support community-level equipment maintenance and management training and an upgrade to solar power at the server station.
Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) – India – USD $499,578
In phase 2 of their Resiliency project, IEEE will build upon their experience and successes from a previous Resiliency grant to connect and build local capacity in disaster-prone regions of 4 states in India. Their multi-stakeholder approach will connect communities through local schools or health centers and train Village-Level Entrepreneurs to repair and manage Internet infrastructure and deploy more connections in the future.
Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN) – Malawi – USD $499,809
MAREN will utilize solar-powered LTE-supported nodes to provide a resilient backup network for existing Internet infrastructure, especially in regions that frequently experience natural disasters. The project will also strengthen capacity of local Information Technology experts to maintain and manage the infrastructure and ensure long-term sustainability and resilience.
Nepal Research and Education Network – Nepal – USD $116,250
The Nepal Research and Education Network will improve disaster preparedness by training and creating a pool of Emergency Information Technology responders with in-depth knowledge of setting up self-converging mesh networks. These local mesh networks can then support emergency responders, disseminate information to affected communities, and facilitate real-time data sharing in the event of a natural disaster.
NetHope, Inc – Kenya – USD $250,000
Nethope will train Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in the Tana River County on resilient communication equipment and Community Early Warning Systems (CEWS), including how to monitor forecasts, warning signs and triggers, and effective communication strategies. NetHope will also equip CBOs with resilient and robust communication equipment so they can apply the knowledge gained to immediately restore the internet in the face of natural hazards.
Unconnected Foundation – Philippines – USD $500,000
Unconnected Foundation will ensure that backhaul is enabled for the Philippines’ disaster recovery requirements and to enhance overall Internet resiliency in the country. The Unconnected Foundation will pre-position community networks in schools so that they can be utilized as a resource during emergencies or natural disasters.
TechSoup Global in partnership with Sunu Group – Paraguay – USD $500,000
Through their “Nanum Connected Women” program, this project will equip 16 of Sunu’s digital inclusion centers with resilient Internet infrastructure, stable connectivity, and tools and resources on natural disaster management. Additionally, the project will expand existing community networks and build new ones.
️Télécoms Sans Frontières – Multiple countries – USD $250,000
Alongside local civil society organizations, Télécoms Sans Frontières will establish emergency Internet connectivity capability at existing humanitarian service sites and to support emergency response teams to reestablish Internet connectivity during natural disasters.
Visit our website for more information about the Resiliency Grant Program and how it supports communities worldwide. Sign up for the Internet Society Foundation’s newsletter to stay updated on upcoming opportunities.