On Friday 24th of June Digicel PNG Foundation launched the 20 for 20 Leadership for Change Community Grants for 2022.
Through this grant program, the foundation will be giving up to K1,000,000 worth of grants to community based organizations whose work aligns with the Foundation’s development priorities.
Through the Community Grants Program, Digicel PNG Foundation aims to create a network of organizations that are working on the front lines in their communities to address education and literacy, health, sustainable livelihoods and community safety.
Since 2019 Digicel Foundation has awarded 52 grants totaling K2.5million to organizations from all over the country.
A grant can go up to K50,000 and can support projects dealing with water, sanitation and hygiene, literacy centers, housing for health workers, safe houses and a range of other projects.
Digicel PNG Foundation CEO, Serena Sasingian said that the aim of the program is to support local organizations who are solving problems in their own communities.
“We know there are an abundance of organizations who are working to address some of our most pressing challenges from health to law and order and they need to be supported.
Most of these organizations will not be able to meet the requirements of the large donors so we have tried to ensure our application process is as easy as possible for these local organizations to apply.”
2020 Community Grant Recipient, iCare4U is one such organization that has been improving the quality of life for those individuals who are marginalized and living with the effects of HIV & Aids.
George and Crystal Nitta, Founders of iCare4U used the grant to build the women’s bathroom block at the iCare4U grounds. “we are so grateful for our women’s bathroom block as we can now offer clean water for shower’s and a safe, private place just for them. One of our ladies has seen her skin issues improve due to the fact that she can now shower daily with clean water”
Since the established of Digicel Foundation is 2008, K161 million has directly invested in rural, remote and socially marginalized communities across all 89 districts in PNG, directly impacting over 900,000 lives.