WiDEF in India is a joint effort between USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Reliance Foundation to accelerate progress on closing the gender digital divide.
New Delhi, India — In a bold move to accelerate digital inclusion for women in India, the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) launched its first round of funding on November 12, 2024. The initiative, backed by USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Reliance Foundation, aims to address the gender digital divide by offering grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 to eligible organizations tackling critical barriers to women’s digital access and participation.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Managed by the GSMA Foundation with support from a global consortium, WiDEF seeks to empower women through innovative, scalable solutions that improve access, literacy, and safety in India’s burgeoning digital economy.
A Crucial Step Toward Digital Inclusion
The launch of WiDEF comes as India’s digital infrastructure, driven by near-universal 4G coverage and rapid 5G deployment, experiences unprecedented growth. Despite these advancements, significant gender disparities persist. According to the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2024, only 37% of Indian women use mobile internet compared to 53% of men, indicating that infrastructure alone is insufficient to close the divide.
“Through this round, we will help scale efforts to address the gender digital divide, delivering significant social and economic benefits,” said Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Digital Inclusion at GSMA.
WiDEF aligns with the 2023 G20 Leaders’ commitment under India’s presidency to halve the gender digital divide by 2030, a critical milestone in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Funding Priorities
WiDEF funding will focus on scaling solutions that can demonstrate evidence-based results in closing the gender digital gap. Projects must address at least two of the following priorities:
- Improved Access: Providing affordable, reliable, and secure internet and devices for women.
- Relevant Products and Tools: Developing digital tools tailored to the specific needs of women.
- Digital Literacy and Skills: Strengthening digital skills to enable women’s participation in the digital economy.
- Safety and Security: Enhancing online safety by addressing harassment and improving security measures.
“This initiative marks another step forward in our continued work to bridge the gender digital divide and accelerate India’s journey towards the SDGs,” said Jagannatha Kumar, CEO of Reliance Foundation.
WiDEF is not just about funding but fostering innovation and collaboration. The selected Indian non-profits and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) will receive financial support, technical assistance, access to bootcamps, learning exchanges, and advisory services.
“By partnering with local organizations, we are helping foster an inclusive economy that benefits everyone,” said Steven G. Olive, USAID Mission Director to India. “Together, we can bridge the digital divide, ensuring women are empowered to thrive in the digital age.”
Eligibility and Application
WiDEF funding is open to Indian entities, including SMEs with fewer than 250 employees and non-profits holding valid FCRA licenses. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and underserved group inclusion.
Key Application Details:
- Deadline: January 13, 2025, at 18:00 IST.
- Duration: Projects will run for 15–18 months.
- How to Apply: Visit https://widef.global/funding for details.
Lead image courtesy of WIDEF
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