Impact Amplifier partners Google.org to launch $1m Africa Online Safety Fund. 

South African investment and sustainability advisory firm, Impact Amplifier has partnered Google.org and the UK-based Institute of Strategic Dialogue to launch a US $ 1 million Africa Online Safety Fund.

The Africa Online Safety Fund will be giving grants to innovative existing and new solutions that address one or more of the safety issues associated with using the internet.

The fund will support solutions that address women, and children’s online safety specifically since they mostly fall prey to this regard.

There are two categories of funding which are; Transformative and Catalytic.

The Transformative grants are intended to be larger in scale that reaches multiple geographies and potentially large numbers of beneficiaries and be scalable. These grants will be up to a maximum of US$100,000.

On the other hand, Catalytic projects are intended to be smaller, targeted, and potentially only locally or culturally specific. These grants will be up to a maximum of US$10,000.

The initiative will help the over 500 million people who have access to the internet in Africa who are prone to the challenges and risks of using the internet.

These challenges include; identity theft, bullying and harassment, sex trafficking, hate crimes, terrorist recruitment and promotion, misinformation and disinformation, and financial scams.

The Fund is open to organizations throughout Africa but is prioritizing Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast.

The first phase of the application process is open until August 21.  Shortlisted applicants will be announced by September 7 while finalists will be selected by October 8, 2020.

Applicants eligible for the grants can be public benefit organizations, private or from the public sector.

Impact Amplifier which was founded in 2011, assists impact investors to source and invest in compelling opportunities while providing investment readiness and advisory services to businesses.

ISD which was founded in 2006 is dedicated to understanding and innovating real-world responses to the rising tide of polarization, hate, and extremism of all forms.

Finally, Google.org helps solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges by combining funding, innovation, and technical expertise to support underserved communities.

If interested, you can apply here.