Google today announced the launch of the Google Impact Challenge | Nigeria 2018. Google said it is committing $2 million worth of grant funding to nonprofits in Nigeria through the challenge, which will see funding awarded to non-profits which are innovating using technology to reach their goals.
Google is issuing an open call for non-profits in Nigeria to apply to receive their share of $2m in funding. Four non-profits in Nigeria stand to win $250 000 each while 8 runners up will each get $125 000.
Applications are open for the next six months, and nonprofits can apply online here.
Winners will be decided by a panel of local judges and a 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. The winning non-profits will get cash as well as access to guidance, technical assistance and mentorship from Google, which they are free to take up should they so choose.
The Nigerian judging panel includes chairman CEO Channels media group John Momoh, chairman CEO, Zinox Technologies Leo Stan Ekeh, CEO of Parminder Vir, Rapper and CEO of Chocolate City Music Group MI Abaga, Philanthropist and Executive Director of Nigeria Network of NGOs Oluseyi Oyebisi, Philanthropist and Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, Ex-footballer and founder of the Kanu Heart Foundation Kanu Nwankwo, Managing General Partner, EchoVC Partners Eghosa Omoigui and Google Country Director Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor.
The Google Impact Challenge Nigeria launches today and will close on the 4th of July. The final awards ceremony will be held during the week of 26 November.
At Google for Nigeria in July last year, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced Google’s commitment to providing $20m funding to African non-profits over five years. This is the first initiative aimed at realising that commitment.
Speaking on the announcement, Google Country Marketing Manager Affiong Osuchukwu said, “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’re keen to shine a light on them, and give a financial boost to innovative projects and ideas. 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.
“We also want to highlight the healthy state of social enterprise in Nigeria today, and encourage non-profits to consider how technology can help them reach their goals,” Osuchukwu says.
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.