Grants announcement – supporting diverse voices
Ciara •
We believe that a better Internet reflects all our communities, that diversity is our strength, and your voice could make a difference.
We are very proud to share our latest grant funding in this area.
We have a responsibility to use the resources and influence we have to open doors and empower people. In October last year we opened a grant round calling for people who wanted a chance to contribute, and have an influence on key Internet issues, but have faced barriers. We had some ideas of what this might look like and our the goal was to listen and see what was needed.
We are excited to share the good news, that we have awards $87,806.05 across 12 grants. Here is the full list of successful grantees:
AI kōrero with Rangatahi
Sara Cole Stratton, Māori LAB, $10,000
Running a series of one–two day wānanga within three kura/ropū-schools-groups to bring awareness of the risks and potential in the field of artificial intelligence.
Tech Summit 2022
Morgana Watson, $6,661
To attend Tech Summit in Christchurch on 24 Nov, 2022 and then travel to Dunedin to wānanga with CODE.
Future Ready
YES Disability Resource Centre, $10,000
To train and employ people across the motu to ensure relevant, quality, local information can be used to provide online resources, opportunities and support for young people with disabilities, often targeted by misinformation and online bigotry.
Attendance at CSUN Global Accessibility Conference 2023 in Anaheim
Zoë Haughton, $4,616
To attend CSUN 2023, a global accessibility conference held in the US, to learn from leading global specialists in accessibility, latest tools and techniques for implementing and testing the new web accessibility standards and requirements.
Code Club Global partner meetup
Siobhan O'Connor, Code Club Aotearoa, $1,235
To attend a global partner hui hosted by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, to enable global influence on key issues of digital inclusion, incorporating the perspectives of indigenous people, online safety, and creating a digital skills pipeline.
Wānanga and podcast series for online kōrero connection, support & stories for the generations
Whangara Farms, $10,000
To hold a wānanga with stakeholders of Whangara Farms, including iwi and hapū, which will enable kōrero about what people want and need from the Internet and what skills our rangatahi can support our pakeke to acquire. The continuity of sharing timely information and content through our podcast series.
Digital Identity Haerenga For Far North Rangatahi
Richard Green, $9,916.05
Taking a group of eight rangatahi from the rural area of Kaitaia, to attend an event in Auckland in February with speakers on topics such as mis and dis-information on the Internet, data sovereignty, digital identity, online harms, online safety, other systemic harms arising from the Internet, and new and innovative online technology.
NAOInstitute Annual Seminar Series
Izak Tait, NAOInstitute, University of Auckland, $7,889
To host their inaugural free seminar series in 2023 around the topic of intelligence research, and ensure a diverse audience can benefit.
Digital Inclusion – libraries role in supporting local communities
Ian Littleworth, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries, $7,764
To attend a conference and study trip to benefit the Kāpiti Libraries digital inclusion mahi.
Te Ao Turoa: Enduring World
Amosa Omeka Ponga-Fou, Maori Warrior Media, $10,000
To attend Technology and Indigenous Development Summit in Toronto in 2023. Maori Warrior Media has been asked to speak on behalf of Māori on the challenges they face living off the grid and integrating with technology and the Internet.
Ethical, Business, and Policy Considerations for Influencer Marketing in Aotearoa
Dr Amy Errmann, Auckland University of Technology, $4,725
To attend training/research forum in Copenhagen, that will contribute to research and the development of an ethical framework to regulate social media influencers to protect consumers (vulnerable groups at risk of appropriation).
Indigenous perspectives to respond to harmful social media towards radicalisation
Gareth Jones, $5,000
To attend the World Counter Terrorism Expo in London, dealing with the issue of online harm and speaking from the perspective of Māori around how it impacts collective and indigenous communities, to create awareness and lobby for greater controls and accountability towards exposed communities.