Google's philanthropic arm Google.org grants $2.5million to 3 Indian non-profits to empower women

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, awarded $2.5 million to three Indian non-profits to help women and girls gain access to opportunities.

Samhita-CGF, Pratham Education Foundation, and SwaTaleem Foundation are the three non-profits that will get financing to scale their projects in the areas of skills development, education, and financial support, according to a statement released by the tech giant.

"We're extremely proud that three local recipients have been selected as part of this Challenge," it added.

The three non-profits are among the 34 Google.org Impact Challenge for Women and Girls grant recipients from 19 countries. These were chosen from a pool of 7,800 applicants.

Samhita-CGF will receive $800,000 for its "REVIVE Alliance" project, which aims to provide interest-free "returnable" grants to 10,000 women who do not have access to traditional finance support systems in order to engage in digitisation and meet their business objectives.

Pratham will receive $1 million to help more than 7,000 unemployed young women in rural areas find work in the beauty and health industry, as well as the male-dominated automotive, mechanical, and electrical industries.

SwaTaleem and Humane Warriors will use a $700,000 grant to educate marginalised girls and women in rural India using an innovative, low-tech platform. It eliminates the need for the Internet while giving females with access to traditional topics like math and physics, as well as socio-emotional and financial literacy instruction like how to open a bank account, through an app and automated audio files played on speaker phones.

Google.org, Google's Accelerator team, and Women Techmakers will run a four-month worldwide virtual accelerator programme where highly trained Googlers will give pro bono support, including training, networking, and coaching, to support and grow these investments, according to Google.

"As we continue to invest in efforts to extend opportunities to women to reach their potential, and enhance their lives, and that of their families, communities, and the economy, partnerships with organisations such as these will be key. We're encouraged by the variety of approaches they are taking and their ongoing impact, and excited to support their work where it matters most," Google said.