Google is to commit $2m worth of grant funding to nonprofit Organisations in Nigeria through its First African Impact challenge, which will see funding awarded to non-profit organizations that are innovating using technology to reach their goals.
Speaking on the announcement, Affiong Osuchukwu , Google Country Marketing Manager said, “This is the first time we are running a Google Impact Challenge in Africa.
“Many African nonprofits are doing great work with real impact and we’re keen to shine a light on them, and give a financial boost to innovative projects and ideas.
“We believe technology can help local and national organisations to better reach their goals and solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, and we are eager to back people who are using technology in new ways to make a positive difference in their communities.
“We also want to highlight the healthy state of social enterprise in Nigeria today, and encourage non-profits to consider how technology can help them reach their goals,” Osuchukwu said.
She also issued an open call to non-profit organisations in Nigeria to apply to receive their share of $2m in funding, adding that four non-profits in Nigeria stand to win $250 000 each while 8 runners up will each get $125 000.
Osuchukwu explained that, “Winners will be decided by a panel of local judges and a public vote.
“public vote provides a chance for the people to decide which organisation gets an extra portion of funding to help them impact their community.
“The winning non-profits will get cash as well as access to guidance, technical assistance and mentorship from Google, which they are free to take up should they so choose.”
According to Google, the Impact Challenge Nigeria starts today and will close on the 4th of July and the final awards ceremony will be held during the week of 26 November.
She noted that, this commitment was part of the $20m announced by its CEO Sundar Pichai during his visit to Nigeria in July last year, to provide funding to African non-profit organizations over five years, adding that this is the first initiative aimed at realizing that commitment.
The Nigerian judging panel for the challenge includes chairman CEO Channels media group John Momoh, chairman CEO, Zinox Technologies Leo Stan Ekeh, chief executive officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation,Parminder Vir, Rapper and CEO of Chocolate City Music Group MI Abaga, Philanthropist and Executive Director of Nigeria Network of NGOs Oluseyi Oyebisi, Philanthropist and Media enterpreneur Mo Abudu, Ex-footballer and founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation Kanu Nwankwo, Managing General Partner, EchoVC Partners Eghosa Omoigui and Google Country Director Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor.
Other Google Impact Challenges around the world have supported ideas ranging from smart cameras for wildlife conservation to solar lights for off-grid communities to a mobile application that helps to protect women from domestic violence.
Applications are open for the next six months, and nonprofits can apply online here at www.https://impactchallenge.withgoogle.com/nigeria2018 or g.co/nigeriachallenge.