Twelve South African nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and social enterprises are set to receive a share of $2-million in grants as Google realises the first step of a $20-million funding commitment for African NPOs over the next five years.

The first Google Impact Challenge on the African continent was launched in South Africa last week and will extend to Kenya and Nigeria, with $6-million in grants to be divided equally across NPOs in the three countries.

“This is the first time we are running a Google Impact Challenge in Africa. Many African nonprofits are doing great work with real impact and we are keen to shine a light on them and give a financial boost to innovative projects and ideas,” says Google Africa chief marketing officer Mzamo Masito.

The South African edition of the Google Impact Challenge will award $250 000 each to four NPOs that are innovatively using technology to realise their ambitions, while eight runners-up will each receive $125 000 to support the implementation of their proposed projects.

All 12 finalists in the challenge will receive support from Google in the form of access to guidance, technical assistance, networking opportunities and mentorship.

Three of the four winners will be selected by a panel of local judges and one by public vote.

“The public vote provides a chance for the people to decide which organisation gets an extra portion of funding to help them impact their community,” he explains.

Google is now issuing an open call for all registered NPOs in South Africa using technology to improve lives to apply for funding for their most innovative proposals between May 23 and July 4, when applications close.

The 12 finalists will be announced on November 5, with the public voting process closing on November 25.

The final awards ceremony will be held during the week of November 26, says Google marketing executive Asha Patel.

The judging criteria will include community impact and economic opportunity, the reach of the NPO, innovation and feasibility.

The finalists will pitch their ideas to the judges at a final event in Johannesburg.

“We believe technology can help local and national organisations to better reach their goals and solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, and we are eager to back people who are using technology in new ways to make a positive difference in their communities,” Masito says.

“We also want to highlight the healthy state of social enterprise in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa today, and encourage nonprofits to consider how technology can help them reach their goals,” he concludes.

Other Google Impact Challenges around the world have supported ideas ranging from smart cameras for wildlife conservation to solar lights for off-grid communities to a mobile application that helps to protect women from domestic violence.