Search giant, Google, has announced funding for 34 recipients in its Google.org Impact Challenge for women and girls across the globe.
According to the tech firm, the funding to nonprofit and social enterprises around the world will help women and girls reach their full economic potential and strengthen the well-being of communities recovering from COVID-19
The $25 million global philanthropy challenge was launched in March 2021 and called for gender equity-focused organisations to submit their most innovative ideas to create a more equitable economic reality for women and girls.
Google.org partnered with a women-led panel of experts -including Rigoberta Menchu, Naomi Osaka, Shakira, Susan Wojcicki, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and gender equity-focused organisations such as Vital Voices and Project Everyone to evaluate proposals based on four key criteria: innovation, impact, feasibility, and scalability. The selected organisations have outlined projects that will help women and girls, especially those in geographically, economically or socially marginalised populations, reach their full economic potential.
In addition to funding of up to $1 million each, recipients will participate in a four-month accelerator programme led by Google’s Accelerator and Women Techmakers communities, in partnership with Vital Voices to move their projects forward. Select organizations will also receive a Google.org fellowship and dedicated Ad Grants to promote their mission.
President of Google.org., Jacquelline Fuller, said: “Globally, women have been nearly twice as likely to lose their jobs during COVID-19 as men. It’s vital that we elevate and support work that empowers women and girls to reach their full economic potential, especially in marginalized communities. The pandemic recovery must be an inclusive one, and we know that when we invest in women and girls, we all benefit.â€
“In addition to the Impact Challenge, Google.org will continue support through $15 million in donated Google Search Ads for organizations focused on gender equity; including $10 million to UN Women. The donated ads will connect the public via Google Search with in-depth, authoritative information on gender equity and connect underserved women with the resources they need. Each funded organization will also receive full-time digital marketing support from a Google Ads expert for three months.
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