Dear All, This was advertised on the papers, but for those who did not see it, here goes! best regards alice -------------------------------------- CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR ICT PROJECTS FOR FUNDING BY THE DIGITAL SOLIDARITY FUND The Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) is a financing foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland. The objective of the fund is to transform the digital divide into digital opportunities to promote peace, sustainable development, democracy, transparency and good governance. The Government of Kenya, through the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), is one of DSF’s founding members. .DSF PROJECTS: As a financing foundation, DSF does not establish large infrastructure, but subsidizes community-based projects, within the framework of a given national policy with a view to creating new activities, new jobs and, in the long term, new markets. The DSF works in partnership with institutions and programmes, thus capitalizing on their networks and know how in responding to local development needs pertaining to the ICT sector. Based on clearly defined criteria, the DSF supports three main areas of activity: i. Education, professional training and health ii. ICT support services to local administration iii. Creation of new activities, new employment, new revenue and new markets The DSF, through the CCK, is inviting interested organizations to submit ICT related project proposals, for funding consideration. To be eligible for DSF funding, the projects must: i. aim at developing good use of ICTs within local communities excluded from information and communication networks; ii. be a community development project making use of information technology, amounting to less than 500,000 euros, over one or several years, in the framework of Kenya’s national policy and addressing the insolvent demand; iii. be adapted to the real needs of the population and conditions in the field, respectful to local know-how and readily replicable in other communities. iv. be based on public sector/private sector/civil society partnerships, ensure traceability of its financial backing and benefit from at least one other source of financing. v. Target in priority women’s associations or groups with groups with specific needs (youth, people with disabilities, etc) ; vi. involve south-south cooperation; vii. Not entail the acquisition or creation of large and expensive infrastructures; viii. Operate and be supervised by recognized organizations in the field of development management; ix. Already have been subject to a feasibility study evaluating the project’s risks and opportunities; x. Develop local content to meet the needs of local populations; xi. Make use, when possible, of micro-credit strategies in order to promote local entrepreneurial spirit; Interested organizations with projects that meet the specified requirements are invited to download the DSF application forms from the CCK website www.cck.go.ke or collect the forms from the Competition, Tariffs and Market Analysis (CTMA) Division of the Commission on weekdays during official working hours. . Duly completed forms should be submitted together with the relevant documents in a plain sealed envelope, clearly marked – ‘ICT Project Proposal for DSF Funding’ – through the address below or placed in the Tender Box situated on the ground floor of the CCK Headquarter building so as to reach on or before 30th November 2006. The Commission will subsequently forward the proposals to the Digital Solidarity Fund for consideration. DSF will contact the selected firms directly. The Director-General Communications Commission of Kenya P.O. Box 14448 Nairobi 00800 Tel: +254 20 4242000 Fax: +254 20 4451866 Email: info@cck.go.ke For more details about DSF please visit their website: www.digital-solidarity.org A. Wanjira Munyua National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA) Association for Progressive Communications (APC) alice@apc.org http://www.apc.org http://www.catia.ws