As internet access grows across the globe an international organization is taking steps to make sure underserved communities aren’t left behind.
The Internet Society, a nonprofit organization, announced on Tuesday recipients of its first set of grants made available in 2009 through its Community Grants Programme. Nine projects have been selected, with each project being eligible for up to $10,000.
The goal of the grants is to help promote internet access and education through community-based projects. Jon McNerney, chief operation officer for the Internet Society, said the grants represent the organization’s goal of having the internet improve lives around the world.
"While the internet is used today by more than 1 billion people, these projects highlight the important work being done by Internet Society members to ensure it reaches the next billion and beyond," McNernev said.
One of the projects is centered in California, where the San Francisco and Los Angeles chapters of the Internet Society, along with FirstMile.US, aim to create a public awareness campaign across the state. The campaign is intended to promote increased broadband availability in underserved communities.
Another project based in France is focusing on the elderly by providing internet training. A project created by the Armenian chapter of the society looks to create a regional internet center. The goal of the center is to help combat the high unemployment rate in the Vanadzor region of the country.
For the year, the Internet Society has $200,000 set aside for grants. The next round of grant applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 1, with decisions being made at the end of November.
According to the Internet Society’s website, Africa has the lowest percentage of internet users. Of the estimated 9.7 million people who live in Africa, approximately 5.6 percent have internet access. The society reports that 23.8 percent of the world’s population uses the internet.
