Deadline
28 June, 2024
With this category, FRIDA seeks to support projects, initiatives to promote connectivity, quality of access, and the strengthening of regional Internet service providers. The category focuses on three themes.
Internet Connectivity
The goal of this theme is to provide funding for projects, initiatives or solutions that seek to provide Internet connectivity to currently unconnected populations across Latin America and the Caribbean, rural areas and/or urban areas with poor Internet coverage.
This thematic area focuses both on alternative access models through intranets, community-managed networks, and/or the installation of small and medium-sized ISPs, as well as on the development of affordable connectivity technologies (such as routers, tablets, processors, and others) and/or free software that will simplify the deployment of networks and reduce cost barriers to connection.
Internet Access for a Quality Service
The purpose of this theme is to support projects, initiatives or solutions that focus on providing a quality service, either by increasing the quality of existing connectivity in terms of connection speed, coverage, network capacity, or based on the measurement and assessment of community access needs, as well as other related initiatives.
Strategies for Strengthening ISPs
With this thematic axis, FRIDA seeks to fund projects, initiatives, or solutions that focus on the challenges faced daily by regional internet service providers operating in a specific department or state, often in areas with access issues, via wireless technology and/or last-mile fiber optics, which serve an average of 2,000 mostly residential subscribers, and in many cases become leaders within their local communities due to their proximity and identification with their clients.
Proposals under this theme may focus on purchasing infrastructure and/or equipment, generating business strategies and/or internal training, improving interconnection, or meeting other needs to help promote the development of ISPs across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Purpose
The main purpose of the FRIDA program is to support projects, initiatives or solutions that contribute to the consolidation of a global, open, stable, and secure Internet. Two formats are available:
Grants
FRIDA Grants provide non-reimbursable funds and technical support to projects, initiatives, or solutions with a maximum duration of 12 months.
Awards
FRIDA Awards offer economic recognition and highlight projects, initiatives, or solutions with proven, concrete impact.
Beneficiaries
For both formats (Grants or Awards), applicants must be based in and conduct their activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, specifically in territories that are part of the LACNIC service region. Proposals should also focus on these territories.
In all cases, the following groups may apply to the FRIDA Program:
- Operators, IXPs, NOGs, or other actors in the technical community
- Universities, research centers, or working groups/experts
- Associations, cooperatives, and other civil society organizations
- Public and/or government agencies
- Private entities and/or companies
Non-reimbursable financial support and technical follow-up
Grants
Projects, initiatives, or solutions selected under the Grants format may each request financial support from up to US$30,000. Any project carried out with the support of FRIDA must use open-source software and/or open-source hardware.
In addition to financial support, the FRIDA Program follows the execution of the project and provides opportunities for the dissemination of its results and the knowledge generated.
Awards
Projects, initiatives, or solutions selected under the Awards format will each receive a recognition from LACNIC, US$10,000 in financial support.
