The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has announced 21 Canadian organizations that will receive a grant from its Community Investment Program. The organization is committing a total of $1.25 million for these projects.
“We’re proud of the many organizations we’ve funded over the years, including these latest recipients.”
This annual program supports Canadian non-profits, charities, and academic institutions seeking to do good for and through the internet. CIRA has so far provided $6.7 million in grants for 151 projects that seek to improve digital literacy, internet infrastructure, internet access, and online services.
“CIRA has an ambitious goal to build a better online Canada and we know this can’t be achieved on our own,” said David Fowler, vice president of marketing and communications at CIRA. “The Community Investment Program supports initiatives that bring the internet to Canadians, help them get online, and then make the most of their online experiences. We’re proud of the many organizations we’ve funded over the years, including these latest recipients.”
The Community Investment Program was first launched by CIRA in 2014 with chequess ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 per initiative. Although these projects have a focus on internet applications, many aim to have a broader impact on Canada’s tech ecosystem.
Some notable projects include:
LifeCycles Project Society: This project will provide non-profit and grassroots gleaning initiatives across Canada access to a sophisticated online database and organizing tool.
Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody: This project’s goal is to build and test a specific prototype app, co-designed with youth to support youth-centred digital preparations for more successful transitions from care.
Brandon University: Brandon University is seeking to “Indigenize” the cybersecurity research and education landscape by travelling to Indigenous rural communities to facilitate discussions surrounding online privacy, through broad-interest workshops focused on social media.
Actua: This initiative equips K-12 educators with a handbook and training to teach students to be responsible digital citizens and ultimately become creative and responsible producers of new technologies.
Communautique: This project seeks to allow digital literacy to be experimented with and disseminated across Canada, offering young Canadians the opportunity to fulfill their potential as informed, engaged citizens.
Option consommateurs: This project will produce stories, using catchy and narrative illustrations, to teach children themes of online privacy: cybersecurity, reputation protection and cyber-bullying.
Université du Québec à Montréal: The University du Quebec is developing an online collaborative training platform that supports Canadian work experience procurement.
Newfoundland and Labrador Economic Development and Employability Network: This project aims to improve communication within the entire historical Francophone region of the Port au Port Peninsula.
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