The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), the organization that funds the .CA domain, has selected 28 different internet-related initiatives that it will invest $1 million into.
These projects will be the first to be funded under the new Community Investment Program (CIP) created by the CIRA, and they represent a wide range of both charitible and academia-based ideas.
Key themes among the recipients include online privacy and Internet surveillance; enhancing digital literacy among all Canadians; ands providing affordable Internet access across the country.
The CIP was launched earlier this year to boost initiatives that help Canadians take full advantage of the social and economic benefits of the Internet. The intention was to provide funding to community groups, not-for-profits and academic institutions for projects they could demonstrate would enhance the Internet for the benefit of all Canadians.
“The enthusiastic response we saw from applicants across the country is evidence of CIRA’s long-standing conviction that the Internet has become a critical daily tool in the lives of all Canadians,” said CEO Byron Holland. “Our selection committee faced a difficult task to review and choose from among 149 applications, representing just under $8 million in requests. I want to personally express our sincerest thanks and appreciation to each and every applicant.”
The full list of recipients includes:
· Academos Cybermentorat
· Ashlu Creek Foundation
· British Columbia Technology for Learning Society
· Canadian Civil Liberties Association
· Career Skills Incubator
· Chebucto Community Net Society
· Civil Law Section, Ottawa University
· Consumers Council of Canada
· Faculty of Information, Information Policy Research Program, University of Toronto
· Framework Foundation
· Free Geek Toronto
· Governing Council of the University of Toronto
· Halifax Internet Exchange Inc.
· Indigenous Law Research Unit, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria
· International CyberCrime Research Center, Simon Fraser University
· Kids Code Jeunesse
· Kitikmeot Heritage Society
· Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council
· MakerKids
· MediaSmarts
· Mozilla Foundation
· Nipissing University
· Open Democracy Manitoba
· Open North Inc.
· Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, c/o Nova Scotia Community Access Program
· Schulich School of Business, York University
· Textile Museum of Canada
· The Vancouver Community Network
“Canada faces a number of challenges to ensure the rights and freedoms of Canadians are protected online, and that each and every Canadian has the same opportunity to take advantage of what the Internet has to offer,” said Holland. “Through the CIP, we will provide leadership and support for organizations across the country that share our vision of what the Internet in Canada can and should be. The outstanding response we have had so far shows there is no shortage of great ideas that can make a positive difference.”