Bridging the digital divide

At HP, we believe in the power of technology to transform lives and promote equality. In 2022, the Aspen Institute launched the Digital Accelerator, a groundbreaking initiative supported by HP, aimed at closing the digital divide and promoting digital equity. Fast forward to 2023, and the Accelerator has evolved into an even more robust and focused platform, continuing to provide crucial resources to communities in need. Through our partnership, we have extended the Digital Equity Accelerator to Mexico, Malaysia, and South Africa. This program has already made a significant impact, thanks to the lessons we've learned from the first cohort in 2022, which included organizations in Morocco, India, and the US.
 
We are inspired by the success stories, such as eSTEM Morocco's Titrit platform, which empowers girls in Morocco with interpersonal, entrepreneurial, and STEM skills. With the support of HP and the Digital Equity Accelerator, eSTEM distributed HP laptops to local NGOs, setting up digital centers for girls in underserved communities.
 
As we expand our reach, we are committed to addressing global social and economic inequalities through increased digital inclusion and equity. In 2021, we committed to accelerating digital equity for 150 million people worldwide by 2030, and the Digital Equity Accelerator is an essential step towards achieving this goal.
 
We recognize that empowering local organizations is key to creating long-term success. The 2023 cohort includes ten not-for-profits and NGOs that tackle a diverse range of challenges, from healthcare access for marginalized groups in Malaysia to technology training for incarcerated women in Mexico. By supporting organizations with an in-depth understanding of their communities, we can work together to bridge the digital divide.
 
As we continue to partner with community groups, we remain committed to solving problems alongside communities, not for them. We are excited to see the growth and flourishing of each cohort member as we work together to create a more digitally inclusive world.
 
The Aspen Institute's Digital Accelerator, backed by HP's unwavering support, has transformed the landscape of digital equity since its inception. In total, the Accelerator has provided $944,000 in unrestricted grant funding, $1,050,000 in hardware, and 218 hours in mentorship, coaching, and education to the 2022 cohort members. This aid has helped boost the nonprofits' cumulative reach by 1.7 million people. As we move forward, we'll continue to learn from our successes and challenges to create an even more significant impact on digital equity around the world.
 
This summary was taken from a Garage by HP article originally published on April 4, 2022. Read the full article here: https://garage.hp.com/us/en/impact/digital-equity-aspen-hp-cohort.html