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    6 August 2025

    Announcing a new group of 9 grantee partners to connect the unconnected worldwide

    The Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation are pleased to share the newest 2025 Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program grantees.  

    After receiving a record number of applications during the 2025 application window, nine projects have been awarded funding to build and expand Internet infrastructure in underserved and unconnected areas in seven countries. Through these projects and the work of the grantees, the power of Internet connectivity will strengthen communities. 

    The Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program supports communities and local organizations working to build and expand Internet infrastructure to connect people living in rural, remote, and low-income areas. 

    The following selected projects reflect diverse approaches to connecting and strengthening connectivity in their communities, each contributing to the Internet Society’s overarching goal that people everywhere have access to affordable, reliable, and resilient Internet. 

    Connecting the Unconnected Program 2025 Awardees: 

    Centro de Investigación en Comunicación Comunitaria – Mexico – USD $40,000 to develop connectivity in two indigenous communities in Campeche and Oaxaca, which face unique challenges in accessing reliable Internet. The project will deploy infrastructure, ensure affordability, strengthen local technical capacity for management and maintenance, and connect key community institutions to the Internet. 

    Environmental Women – Colombia – USD $35,000 to address a critical connectivity gap for hundreds of families in the Colombian Andean Mountains. The project, driven by indigenous women, will build digital resilience and bridge the digital divide for the Narakajmanta Indigenous community by deploying community-owned, solar-powered, self-sustaining connectivity solutions. 

    Hahatay – Senegal – USD $20,000 to strengthen an existing community network in Gandiol to improve the quality and accessibility of the Internet. Through improved access to information, communication, education, and economic opportunities, this project contributes to Hahatay’s ultimate goal of creating a sustainable digital ecosystem for all community members. 

    Kakuma Ventures – Kenya and Uganda – USD $20,000 to expand existing connectivity solutions in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement and deploy solutions in two new locations, a refugee settlement in Uganda and a rural community in Kenya. The project aims to connect individuals and communities to the Internet to promote sustainable livelihoods, digital literacy, and economic empowerment among displaced people and underserved communities. 

    Let’s Be Transformed (MAGUFINA) – Malawi – USD $40,000 to establish a community network and connect 12 anchor institutions in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The project aims to provide Internet access to more than 8,000 households and increase the proximity of access points for 85% or camp residents. The project will also train local technicians in network installation and maintenance and establish a management committee to oversee operations. 

    Oasis Mathare Community Network – Kenya – USD $39,973 to establish a resilient, financially sustainable, community-owned network that improves access to affordable Internet in Mathare. The project aims to build local capacity, train 20 community network champions, and connect households as well as anchor institutions such as schools, community organizations, and health centers. 

    Project Hello World – Uganda – USD $37,964 to deploy connectivity solutions in three sub-counties across Iganga and Kasese districts. Each Hello Hub Lite will operate as a community-managed Wi-Fi hotspot, providing both free, time-bound Internet access and affordable, voucher-based access.  Local leaders, youth, and entrepreneurs will be directly involved in the deployment and maintenance process, and community members will be trained as network stewards, gaining the technical skills to operate and maintain the networks. 

    Tariro Youth Development Foundation – Zimbabwe – USD $20,000 to enhance digital equity in Zaka District by scaling existing solar-powered, community-managed Wi-Fi infrastructure, extending last-mile broadband coverage, and fostering digital inclusion through locally hosted content. This youth-led project aims to connect an additional 7,000 households and deliver digital literacy training through a mobile tech hub. 

    Zimbabwe Community Network Initiatives – Zimbabwe – USD $13,783 to restore full connectivity, reliability, and efficiency of the Murambinda Community Network by replacing sector radios that were damaged by lightning and upgrading select radios to improve network performance. 

    Due to the high number of strong applications received in the first application window, a second application window will not open in 2025. 

    Sign up for the Internet Society Foundation’s newsletter to stay updated on future funding opportunities for community connectivity projects.

    Posted in Africa, Connecting the Unconnected, Foundation News, Latin America and Caribbean, North America

    6 August 2025

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