Grant Program
Connecting the Unconnected (CtU)
Grantee Name
Zimbabwe Community Network Initiatives
Grant Start Date
16 May 2023
Grant End Date
15 February 2024
Amount Funded
$38,490.00
City
Masvingo
Country
Zimbabwe
Region
Africa
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
The objective of this project is to establish a new Community Network in Dewedzo, Makoni District, Zimbabwe, through the mentorship of ZCNI. The project seeks to provide equal access to affordable connectivity through this last-mile connectivity solution and to provide practical, experiential learning on how to deploy and sustainably maintain a community network.
WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT?
The availability of a community network reduces the cost of internet significantly for communities. The project not only allows for a reduction in the price of connectivity, but also helps to create a new ecosystem for community-led information ecosystems to evolve in the aftermath of COVID-19. Community members are trained to become content publishers on the platform (which includes products and services for e-commerce) and the platform also provides tools for individuals and small organizations to access education, health and other services and information.