Reliance Foundation, Gates Foundation commit ₹25.84 crore to back six NGOs targeting digital inclusion for 1 million women

Reliance Foundation and the Gates Foundation have committed ₹25.84 crore to support six non-profit organisations that aim to expand digital access for nearly one million women over the next 15-18 months, while opening applications for the second round of the SheConnects Digital Accelerator: India, under which selected projects will be eligible for grants of up to ₹4.2 crore each.

The initiative supports organisations working on technology-enabled interventions across healthcare, livelihoods and public services to reduce the gender digital divide. The latest announcements were made at an event in New Delhi attended by representatives from government, academia, civil society, philanthropy and the technology sector.

Six organisations selected for inaugural grants

The first cohort comprises Project Concern International (PCI) India, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Myna Mahila Foundation, Digital Empowerment Foundation, A Society for Promotion of Inclusive and Relevant Education (ASPIRE) and Chaitanya.

The selected organisations will implement projects spanning rural livelihoods, healthcare access, digital entrepreneurship and community-based digital literacy. The interventions include strengthening digital access for rural women entrepreneurs, supporting coastal fisherwomen with technology-enabled livelihood services, expanding healthcare access through chatbot-based platforms, building digital skills among self-help group members and creating shared digital infrastructure across multiple states.

Deepthi Reddy, Chief – Women Empowerment at Reliance Foundation, said the accelerator seeks to support organisations with solutions that can be expanded to benefit more women across the country. She said the first cohort brings together partners working on approaches to strengthen women's participation in the digital ecosystem.

Applications open for second funding cycle

The second funding round is open to Indian non-profits with post-pilot digital interventions that are ready for wider implementation. Each selected organisation will be eligible for grants of up to ₹4.2 crore for projects with an implementation period of 15-18 months.

According to the organisers, proposals may incorporate technologies such as artificial intelligence, chatbots and regional language platforms alongside behaviour change initiatives to improve women's access to digital services and opportunities.

Saachi Bhalla, Deputy Director – Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation, said the accelerator is intended to help organisations expand digital inclusion initiatives while generating implementation evidence that could inform similar programmes in India and other developing markets.

Besides grant funding, selected organisations will receive technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation support, capacity-building boot camps and peer-learning opportunities through the GSMA Foundation, which is supporting programme implementation in India.