Global technology giant HP and the Aspen Institute have opened applications for their 2023 Digital Equity Accelerator initiative, targeting not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that address social and economic injustice in their communities through expanding access to technology. 

Headquartered in Washington DC, the Aspen Institute is a global NPO committed to realising a free, just and equitable society. The institute drives change through dialogue, leadership and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the world. 

The Digital Equity Accelerator was founded in February 2022 and is an initiative led by Aspen and powered by HP, which provides technology solutions to participating organisations, in line with the company’s commitment to advance digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. 

In December last year, the Digital Equity Accelerator project was expanded to three new countries – Malaysia, Mexico and South Africa – and qualifying organisations are invited to apply by the closing date of 30 January. 

The project is a multi-year effort that drives innovation and invests in NPOs and NGOs that are actively addressing the social and economic inequalities in communities that stem from unequal technology access and usage globally. 

“Digital equity is more than just providing internet access, it is ensuring that everybody has the tools and digital literacy to use various technologies to their full potential, which will open up opportunities to participate in the digital economy,” says Yesh Surjoodeen, Managing Director HP Southern Africa. 

“The Digital Equity Accelerator aims to provide access to technology for people across the world, with a specific focus on creating opportunities for women and girls, the elderly, people with disabilities, educators and the historically marginalised.” 

Since its inception, the Digital Equity Accelerator has helped to scale seven non-profits in India, Morocco, and the US, expanding their cumulative reach by 1.7 million people. 

Selected non-profit organisations are awarded HP technology solutions that are tailored to their particular needs, as well as about $100 000 (R1.6 million) in capacity-building grants and access to a network of international leaders, mentors and coaches with expertise in technology, social innovation, non-profit management and social impact. 

“When people have access to technologies and the skills to use them, they have better opportunities for education, employment, and healthcare,” said Vivian Schiller, Executive Director of Aspen Digital, a program of the Aspen Institute. "We provide the resources for communities to tackle their unique challenges, and we do this through a responsible, sustainable and scalable approach that aims for digital equity and the rebalancing of systems of power to drive social progress for all.”