GSR Foundation

Earlier this week we celebrated #WorldChildrensDay,?a moment to give thanks to the foundation partners who help us to drive change for children.?? ? Our partnerships with leading foundations protect children’s rights and safeguard young people’s futures. By working closely with like-minded foundations, we’re able to leverage their influence, networks, and innovation to achieve extraordinary results for children.?? ? Thank you to our partners who have supported UNICEF’s work for children over the years, including FIA Foundation, GDI Hub,?GSR Foundation, Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission, Isle of Man Government, Jersey Overseas Aid, The Power of Nutrition,?RNLI, Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, ViiV Healthcare Positive Action and Wellcome Trust. To become a Foundation Partner, please contact?[email protected]??

With 1 in 3 children connected to the internet, children’s lives are being shaped behind a screen. Alongside the remarkable advantages to information and communication comes dangers of online risks and harms. ??? ? To help protect children from these risks, the UNICEF Venture Fund ??seeks to invest in startups working on misinformation and disinformation solutions, examples include, but are not limited to:?? ? ?? Game-based social and behavioral change interventions.? ?? Mechanisms to identify misinformation and or provide legitimacy to true information shared online.? ?? Platform agnostic tools using data science and AI to identify and analyze false or inaccurate content.?? ?? Interactive tools or games for children to engage with and learn about fact-checking.?? ?? Mechanisms to tag data or watermark content at the source.?? ?? Tools which leverage crowds to collectively monitor or identify data inaccuracy.?? ?? AI-enabled systems to manage mis/disinformation during a crisis and ensure the dissemination of accurate information.?? ? Learn more about the application process for up to US $100K in grant funding for early-stage, for-profit open-source technology startups in emerging markets improving the lives of children in the above areas here ???? uni.cf/DataAndTrust ? Deadline to apply is 23 December. ??? ?? You can also join the webinar we’ll have on 21 November at 2pm (CET) to learn more ???? https://lnkd.in/dRttTu9F ? Women-led or founded startups, and young founders are encouraged to apply.?? ? Tag someone who needs to see this.?? ? Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ethereum Foundation, GSR Foundation?? ? #StartUps #DigiTech #EmergingTech #Misinformation #Disinformation #OpenSource

?? Congratulations to Xcapit, supported by the UNICEF Venture Fund, for successfully launching their pilot in Cusco, Peru, representing the first successful implementation of their blockchain-based financial technology that works without internet access, setting a new standard for how aid and financial services can be delivered to remote and crisis affected areas. ?? “By leveraging blockchain for financial inclusion, we’re providing a lifeline to underserved communities. The pilot in Cusco demonstrates blockchain’s potential to drive meaningful change, and we’re excited to continue advancing this journey towards a more inclusive financial future,” declares Antonella Perrone, Chief Operating Officer, Xcapit. Xcapit continues to revolutionize global cash transfers by utilizing #blockchain, cutting transaction costs to just $.01 USD and enabling near-instant transferring, ensuring funds get delivered to beneficiaries with full transparency and efficiency. ???? Ethereum Foundation, GSR Foundation?

We're proud to support this incredible opportunity for startups working on open-source AI and blockchain solutions. The UNICEF Venture Fund is offering grants of up to $100,000 (alongside mentorship and support) for new tech startups. See their post for more details.

Incredibly excited to be working with Jusoor to bring AI learning to Refugee Education Centres in Lebanon.

I'm often asked what was the most challenging stage of running Breaking Barriers. ? In truth, the first couple of years were the hardest: access to early-stage capital for charities is near non-existent. Society and funders are desperate for innovative projects tackling society’s biggest problems. Yet most funders will only give you money once you have a significant track record, with multiple years of delivery and audited accounts. ? I was lucky. Breaking Barriers would not exist today had I not been able to live rent free with my parents in those early years allowing me not to take an income. Even then, if a couple of early-stage funders hadn’t taken a punt on me, thousands of refugees wouldn’t have benefitted from their support. ? There is also a lack of quality professional development, especially for founders. Incubators and accelerators are awash in the private sector, but the development opportunities for founders of charities (often imposed by funders) are largely ineffective. ? That’s why I’m delighted to have been working with The Considered Ask over the last 12 months to address this problem by designing a mentor-led Accelerator programme for early-stage non-profits.? ? ‘The Ask Accelerator’ backs potential, not track record, buying into founders with great ideas, and designed and delivered by people like me – ‘exited’ social entrepreneurs who have ‘been there, done that.’ ? Applying models from the venture capital world, we deploy significant, early-stage capital alongside intensive mentorship. I’ll be leading the programme and acting as TCA’s ‘entrepreneur-in-residence’, providing the support our grantees need. ? Funders often tell me they have ‘pipeline problems’ and are keen to build some ‘riskier’ investments into their portfolio. We want to help you by becoming the breeding ground for the most impactful charities in the sector. ? We’ve only been up and running a couple of months but I'm delighted to have already partnered with the GSR Foundation who are co-investing in one of our portfolio charities, Screen Share UK ? If you are a funder interested in learning more?either about the Ask Accelerator or investing in The Considered Ask more generally, or have an organisation you’d like to recommend, drop me a message.

We are excited to announce a major milestone in Mercy Corps Nepal's Anticipatory Action efforts as we launch our Blockchain for Anticipatory Action (B4A) pilot program. The program will explore the potential of blockchain technology in advancing our work on Anticipatory Action and Cash & Voucher Assistance in disaster-prone areas of Nepal. In partnership with Mercy Corps Ventures and tech partner Rumsan and using their #Rahat's platform, this initiative will harness the power of blockchain and smart contracts to drive greater financial inclusion, transparency, efficiency, and accountability in our programs. Learn more about the program in the factsheet attached. Stay tuned as we explore how frontier tech can streamline humanitarian efforts and transform the way we respond to crises. #AnticipatoryAction #Humanitarian #Tech4Development #Blockchain #Rahat

Our Venture Fund has achieved a 43 per cent female-led or founded startup portfolio over a decade, vastly overperforming the industry average of 1.9 per cent. ????? ? These solutions are designed to maximize frontier tech innovation to make a positive impact on children’s lives. ????? ? Read our Impact Brief 2024 to learn how, together with partners, we're unlocking the global potential of AI, blockchain, and more, designed by expertise in emerging markets- #foreverychild everywhere.? ? ???https://uni.cf/45lN51Q? ? #InnovationImpact Takeda, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, GSR Foundation, Ethereum Foundation, Avenir (HK) Foundation

Just a few days out from Solve Challenge Finals, and we have more prizes to unveil! ?? The selected innovator teams have the chance to receive part of the $1M+ prize pool to drive their impactful solutions forward. ?Funding from our supporters = Solver teams able to reach more people and make more positive change Don't miss the prize reveals live! Catch the action this Monday, via livestream: https://hubs.li/Q02QCmcq0 . General Motors, GSR Foundation, The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Seeding The Future Foundation

Working with Rumee Singh and the team at Rumsan helps us build the case for blockchain utilisation in creating social value. Rahat Beema finds efficiencies within the micro-insurance market - reducing the impact of extreme weather instances on communities that are disproportionately affected - like farmers. We look forward to sharing our learning as we deepen our partnership, explore new markets, and ultimately serve more people. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eW62cbpw