The Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation have announced the 2025 grantees for their Connecting the Unconnected Funding Program. In response to a record number of applications, nine community-led projects from seven countries have been selected to receive funding aimed at building and expanding Internet infrastructure in underserved and unconnected areas.
These newly awarded projects aim to bridge the digital divide by enabling reliable and affordable Internet access. Each initiative represents a unique approach to improving connectivity in rural, remote, or low-income communities, with a shared goal of empowering people through digital inclusion and resilience.
In Mexico, the Centro de Investigación en Comunicación Comunitaria will bring connectivity to indigenous communities in Campeche and Oaxaca. In Colombia, Environmental Women, led by indigenous women, will deploy solar-powered Internet solutions in the Andean Mountains. Senegal’s Hahatay project will enhance an existing community network to improve digital access and opportunity.
Projects in Kenya and Uganda, led by Kakuma Ventures and Project Hello World, will provide Internet access in refugee camps and rural areas, promoting digital literacy and sustainable livelihoods. In Malawi, MAGUFINA will launch a community network in Dzaleka Refugee Camp to serve over 8,000 households, while Oasis Mathare Community Network in Kenya will establish a sustainable, community-owned Internet network.
Zimbabwe sees two initiatives: the Tariro Youth Development Foundation will expand solar-powered Wi-Fi and digital training to thousands of households, and the Zimbabwe Community Network Initiatives will restore and upgrade damaged equipment in the Murambinda Community Network.
With strong demand and exceptional proposals, the program will not open a second application window in 2025. However, the Internet Society Foundation encourages those interested in future funding opportunities to stay informed by subscribing to their newsletter.
