To build a vibrant African online safety ecosystem requires funding. However, finding funding can be a complex, time consuming and a difficult process. To address this issue, we have established the Africa Online Safety Fund (AOSF) which supports innovative solutions to the challenges faced when being online. Although not limited in scope, the AOSF prioritises solutions that specifically address the online safety of women and children, recognizing that they are often the most targeted communities in this regard. This funding has been made possible to-date from the generous support of Google.org.
The AOSF has one call per annum for applications, with the next one scheduled for June 2024.
In addition to the AOSF, this site will promote other funding opportunities for the innovators working to keep us all safe online soon. Learn more about our current and previous grantees and how to apply to the AOSF below.
The following are the previous grant awardees.
Action et Humanisme, Cote 'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Iceaddis, Ethiopia
University of Gondar, Ethiopia
ChildFund International, Kenya
Epuka Ugaidi, Kenya
Lonamac Community Based Organization, Kenya
Pajan - Kenya, Kenya
SheHacks - Kenya, Kenya
Sote Information & Communication Technology (Sote Hub), Kenya
Winam Wezesha Accelerator, Kenya
Mzuzu Entrepreneur Hub, Malawi
Epower, Nigeria
Hive Creative Guild Ltd, Nigeria
LagosMums Foundation, Nigeria
Read Nigeria Book Reading Club, Nigeria
Teens Can Code, Nigeria
Velma Foundation, Nigeria
Save the Children International, Senegal Country Office, Senegal
Dream Factory Foundation, South Africa
EndCode, South Africa
Fundanii, South Africa
Global Leading Light Initiatives, South Africa
Media Monitoring Africa, South Africa
The Centre for Analytics and Behavioral Change, South Africa
Tanzania Trans Initiative, Tanzania
AYDIA Gender and Technology Initiative, Uganda
Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, Ghana
Iwatch Africa, Ghana
My Power App, Ghana
Penplusbytes, Ghana
Boltech Consultancy, Kenya
Terre Des Hommes Netherlands Foundation/Childline, Kenya
Watoto Watch Network, Kenya
Wezesha, Kenya
Access Drive Capacity Development Foundation, Nigeria
Comcastle Plus (Trading As Epower), Nigeria
Lagosmums Foundation, Nigeria
TechSocietal Legal Name: {Aspire Youth Development Center}, Nigeria
Teens Can Code, Nigeria
Zikoko Citizen, Nigeria
Somali Women Journalists' Rights Association (Sowjra), Somalia
Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change, South Africa
City Of Johannesburg Library And Information Services, South Africa
Global Leading Light Initiatives, South Africa
Media Monitoring Africa, South Africa
Wolfpack Information Risk (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Safety N Us Trust, Zimbabwe
Africa’s internet access has increased dramatically over the last 10 years with over 520 million people, or 40% of the population, now with access to the web. This has opened up many new opportunities for socio-economic development, including the potential for the internet economy to contribute nearly $180 billion to Africa's economy by 2025.
However, this rapid growth has also brought new challenges, including privacy and security concerns, bullying and harassment, hate crimes, fake news, political targeting and manipulation, terrorist recruitment and promotion, and financial scams. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made these issues worse, with a 30% increase in cyber-attacks.
To address these issues, the Africa Online Safety Fund, with financial support from Google.org, has been established to finance innovative existing and new solutions to these challenges.
The following are key areas of focus in our efforts to address online safety:
Bullying and Harassment: Actively work towards combating online bullying and harassment, promoting a safe and inclusive digital environment for all users.Financial Scams: Focus on raising awareness about various forms of online financial scams, empowering users to identify and avoid fraudulent activities that could compromise their financial well-being.
Hate Crimes: Raise awareness about and prevent online hate crimes, fostering tolerance and respect in the digital sphere.
Misinformation and Disinformation: Combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation online, promoting critical thinking and media literacy to ensure accurate and reliable information reaches users.
Privacy and Personal Security: Prioritising online privacy and personal security, offering guidance and resources to help individuals safeguard their personal information and protect themselves from online threats.
Terrorist Recruitment and Promotion: Countering online terrorist recruitment and promotion activities, striving to disrupt their online presence and protect vulnerable individuals from radicalisation.
1. Applicants can be public benefit organizations, private or from the public sector. No individual applicants are considered.
2. The Fund is open to organizations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
We provide three grant categories designed to support projects and initiatives at multiple stages of development.
The Catalytic projects are intended to be smaller, targeted, and potentially only locally or culturally specific. The Catalytic Grants will be a maximum of $10,000.
The Maturing projects are intended to test ideas at a larger scale, try new ideas within existing projects, and reach new audiences. The Maturing grant will be up to $25,000.
The Transformative projects are intended to be larger in scale, reach multiple geographies and or potentially large numbers of beneficiaries, and be scalable as a solution. The Transformative grants will be a maximum of $50,000.