Multiple grants of up to $500,000 available to local Indian entities from WiDEF, a joint effort of USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Reliance Foundation
New Delhi, November 12, 2024: Today, the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) in India launches its first round of support. WiDEF in India is a joint effort between USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Reliance Foundation to accelerate progress in closing the digital gender gap. WiDEF in India is managed by the GSMA Foundation with the support of the global WiDEF management consortium.
With grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000This new initiative aims to accelerate the digital inclusion of women across India by supporting organizations that address critical barriers that prevent women from accessing and using the Internet. These barriers include access and affordability, relevant products and tools, digital literacy and skills, and safety and security.
This funding round will support Indian non-profit organizations, as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the aim of scaling solutions that have the potential to significantly increase digital inclusion of women, improve livelihoods and economic security of women. and resilience.
A bold investment in India's digital future
WIDEF has committed to supporting multiple rounds of grant funding in India to advance the 2023 G20 leaders' commitment under India's presidency to halve the digital gender gap by 2030. This initiative, which aims Accelerating the digital inclusion of women is a vital step towards achieving WiDEF's vision. to close the gender gap in digital access.
Globally, digital inclusion is recognized as fundamental to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Internet access and use can enable women to participate meaningfully in the digital economy, strengthening their livelihoods and resilience. However, a third of the world's population remains offline and women make up the majority of those excluded.
The new funding round comes at a time when India's digital ecosystem is rapidly expanding and flourishing. This expansion, which includes near-ubiquitous 4G coverage and broad 5G deployment, presents a significant opportunity to continue increasing the digital inclusion of women and other marginalized groups. Although there have been substantial increases in digital inclusion in recent years, only 37% of women in India use mobile internet, compared to 53% of men, according to the latest Mobile Gender Gap Report 2024 from the GSMA. This suggests that other barriers exist. in addition to infrastructures that prevent many women from connecting to the Internet.
“This new round is an exciting opportunity to support entities in India working to address the complex barriers women face in accessing and using the Internet. This has been a major area of focus for the GSMA Foundation and we are proud to manage WiDEF in India with the support of our partners. “Through this round we will help expand efforts to address the digital gender gap, generating important social and economic benefits,” he said. Claire Sibthorpe, Director of Digital Inclusion, GSMA.
“We believe in the tremendous power of women to transform societies and communities. Digital inclusion is essential to ensure equal participation in today's digital economy and promoting women's agency and access to digital skills brings enormous benefits for women and for society as a whole. Through WiDEF, Reliance Foundation aims to support innovative evidence-based solutions to promote digital inclusion at scale in India. “This marks another step forward in our continued work to close the digital gender gap to improve lives and livelihoods, and accelerate India and the world’s path towards the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. Jagannatha Kumar, CEO, Reliance Foundation.
“Promoting gender equality is fundamental to USAID's mission. Through this funding initiative, the U.S. government supports both the growth of India's digital infrastructure and the incredible potential of women across India to contribute to an even more successful future. By partnering with local organizations to address and overcome barriers that limit women's access to digital resources, we are helping to foster an inclusive economy that benefits everyone. “Together we can close the digital divide and ensure that women are empowered to participate and thrive in the digital age,” she said. USAID Mission Director in India, Steven G. Olive.
WiDEF funding priorities
This funding aims to scale solutions that have demonstrated, through credible evidence, that they can drive women's digital inclusion, significantly close the digital gender gap in their context, and that are sustainable and scalable. These solutions should address at least two of the following priority areas:
- Improved access: Improve women's access to affordable, reliable and secure Internet and devices.
- Relevant products and tools: Develop and scale digital tools that meet the specific needs of women.
- Literacy and digital skills: Strengthen women's digital skills to participate effectively in the digital economy.
- Safety and security: Address online harassment and improve digital safety measures to ensure women's safe online participation.
Eligibility and Application Details
The fund is open to Indian entities including small and medium for-profit businesses (with less than 250 employees) and non-profit organizations with a valid FCRA license. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and the inclusion of underserved groups.
Funding applications close on January 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). Successful applicants will receive not only financial support but also technical assistance, opportunities to participate in boot camps and learning exchanges, and access to counseling services. The selected projects will have a duration of 15 to 18 months.
For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit
We encourage all eligible organizations dedicated to closing the digital gender gap to apply and contribute to a more inclusive digital economy in India.
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About WiDEF
The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) in India is a joint effort between USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Reliance Foundation to accelerate progress towards closing the digital gender gap in India. WiDEF identifies, directly funds and promotes investments in proven solutions to close the digital gender gap, improving women's livelihoods, economic security and resilience. WiDEF in India is managed by the GSMA Foundation with the support of the global WiDEF management consortium. Learn more at: global expansion
