Nominet Trust, a charitable organisation that funds Internet education, inclusion and safety initiatives, announces today its first six grants for a range of innovative projects that will make a positive difference to society through the development of the Internet.

29/04/2009

• Nominet Trust seeks to fund Internet-related education, safety and inclusion projects
• Organisations can apply for funding through its new web site at www.nominettrust.org.uk
• First six funding recipients are: British Computer Society of the Blind; ChildNet; Internet Society; Cambridge Global Grid for Learning; Cambridge Library Learning Services; and Youthnet.

Nominet Trust, a charitable organisation that funds Internet education, inclusion and safety initiatives, announces today its first six grants for a range of innovative projects that will make a positive difference to society through the development of the Internet.
 
The Trust received a donation of £5m from Nominet, the Internet registry for .uk domains, and is seeking to fund new initiatives that use the Internet for the benefit of all.
 
The six organisations to receive funding from Nominet Trust’s first grants are:

• The British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB) will fund a remote access support project that will allow visually impaired people access to computers and the Internet and will provide training on how best to use the technology
  
  
• The Trust’s funding will support The Internet Society’s Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Internet Governance Forum fellowship programmes, which aim to ensure the continued responsible development of the Internet in both the developed and developing world
  
  
• ChildNet will use the funding to establish and run its Youth Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Project, which aims to give young people the opportunity to voice their opinions on the four main themes of the IGF; openness, access, security and diversity 
  
  
• The Cambridge Global Grid for Learning will enhance its 4C project, which provides a free suite of online learning and teaching applications and content for learners and educators in educational institutions worldwide
  
  
• Cambridge Library Services will support staff working on its Community Access Points project which provides communities in isolated rural locations and areas of high social deprivation with free access to online education and support
  
  
• YouthNet will be running a research project to launch a campaign designed to promote digital inclusion among young people in September this year.

Jonathan Welfare, Chairman of Nominet Trust's Board commented: "These organisations have demonstrated with these six projects that they will help and support our objectives, and evidences the impact that Nominet Trust can have through funding projects in education, inclusion and safe use of the Internet. We're actively seeking to fund more projects that will make a tangible and rapid difference in developing the Internet in the UK and other countries."
 
Lesley Cowley, Nominet’s Chief Executive, said: "We have provided Nominet Trust with an initial fund in order to make a positive impact on the UK and global Internet communities. We’re excited at the potential for good that the Trust will drive."

Lord Steven Carter, Communications Minister said: "I am pleased to see that Nominet Trust has funded projects that will have a quick and positive impact on the UK and global Internet landscape.  Nominet Trust will make a positive difference by funding worthy projects in online education and inclusion to help to ensure the responsible growth of an inclusive Internet."

Nicholas Negroponte, founder and Chairman of One Laptop per Child commented: "The future of the Internet relies on institutions like Nominet Trust to force the pace of innovation by funding projects that keep moral purpose at the heart of Internet development."  

Rt Hon Alun Michael MP said: "Nominet Trust’s initial round of funding is already bringing benefits to society by driving online social inclusion to disadvantaged groups and communities. Its investment and engagement with industry will be critical in making a dynamic contribution to the responsible development of the Internet."

Notes to Editors

About Nominet Trust

Nominet Trust is a charity that provides funds for innovative projects, which strive to improve and encourage the development of a safe, educational and inclusive Internet.

The Trust will provide grants to organisations that can demonstrate vision and execution for Internet-related projects that make a tangible difference in developing a safe, educational and inclusive Internet in the UK and other countries.

Initial funding comes from Nominet, the Internet registry for .uk domains, one of the world’s largest domain name registries.  

For further information, please contact:
Blaise Hammond / Gemma Griffiths / Siân Aherne
Racepoint Group UK
Tel: 020 8752 3200
Email: nominettrust@racepointgroup.co.uk

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