Today is a big day at CIRA. We announced the 28 winners of more than $1 million in total funding for projects that will strengthen Canadas Internet. CIRA invests in 28 ways to advance Canada’s Internet New program flooded with worthy applications from across Canada OTTAWA – May 30, 2014 – Twenty-eight worthy initiatives have been chosen as the first to be funded under the new Community Investment Program (CIP) created by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the organization that manages the .CA domain. CIRA launched the CIP earlier this year as part of its mandate to champion initiatives that help Canadians take full advantage of the social and economic benefits of the Internet. The intention was to provide funding to community groups, not-for-profits and academic institutions for projects they could demonstrate would enhance the Internet for the benefit of all Canadians. Just over $1 million was earmarked for the first edition of the CIP. “The enthusiastic response we saw from applicants across the country is evidence of CIRA’s long-standing conviction that the Internet has become a critical daily tool in the lives of all Canadians,” said Byron Holland, CEO of CIRA. “Our selection committee faced a difficult task to review and choose from among 149 applications, representing just under $8 million in requests. I want to personally express our sincerest thanks and appreciation to each and every applicant.” Common themes emerged among the CIP recipients that accord with some of CIRA’s key priorities to ensure Canada’s Internet infrastructure is safe, secure, and stable, and supporting other Internet-related activities in Canada. These include: Internet surveillance and helping individual Canadians manage their privacy online. Improving the digital literacy of all Canadians and developing digital skills among our youth. Affordable Internet access for all Canadians. The full list of recipients includes: Academos Cybermentorat Ashlu Creek Foundation British Columbia Technology for Learning Society Canadian Civil Liberties Association Career Skills Incubator Chebucto Community Net Society Civil Law Section, Ottawa University Consumers Council of Canada Faculty of Information, Information Policy Research Program, University of Toronto Framework Foundation Free Geek Toronto Governing Council of the University of Toronto Halifax Internet Exchange Inc. Indigenous Law Research Unit, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria International CyberCrime Research Center, Simon Fraser University Kids Code Jeunesse Kitikmeot Heritage Society Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council MakerKids MediaSmarts Mozilla Foundation Nipissing University Open Democracy Manitoba Open North Inc. Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, c/o Nova Scotia Community Access Program Schulich School of Business, York University Textile Museum of Canada The Vancouver Community Network “Canada faces a number of challenges to ensure the rights and freedoms of Canadians are protected online, and that each and every Canadian has the same opportunity to take advantage of what the Internet has to offer,” added Holland. “Through the CIP, we will provide leadership and support for organizations across the country that share our vision of what the Internet in Canada can and should be. The outstanding response we have had so far shows there is no shortage of great ideas that can make a positive difference.” The list of CIP recipients and summaries of their individual projects is available on CIRA’s website.
Posted on: Fri, 30 May 2014 12:48:16 +0000