Reliance Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have committed ₹25.84 crore to six NGOs to bridge the gender digital divide for one million women. This initiative focuses on scaling technology-driven solutions in healthcare and rural livelihoods. The program is currently accepting applications for its second phase, with individual project grants available up to ₹4.2 crore.
Reliance Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have launched a collaborative effort to improve digital accessibility for women across India. The project, which involves a total commitment of ₹25.84 crore, is designed to support six non-governmental organizations (NGOs) over the next 15 to 18 months. This funding is part of a broader strategy to integrate digital tools into areas such as rural livelihood support, healthcare access, and digital entrepreneurship.
Scaling Digital Solutions for Rural India
The initiative is specifically designed to move proven pilot projects toward wider implementation. The six organizations selected for the initial phase—including PCI India, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, and the Myna Mahila Foundation—are focusing on diverse interventions. These include building digital infrastructure for self-help groups, using chatbot platforms to improve healthcare delivery, and providing specialized technology services for coastal fisherwomen. By focusing on regional language platforms and AI-driven tools, the initiative aims to overcome language and technical barriers that often limit digital adoption in rural regions.
Accelerator Program and Future Funding
Beyond direct financial support, the program operates an accelerator known as SheConnects, which provides technical assistance, capacity-building, and monitoring services. The GSMA Foundation is also participating to assist with project implementation and data gathering. The focus on evidence-based results is intended to help the partners refine these models so they can potentially be replicated in other regions or globally. The program has now opened applications for a second round of funding. Organizations with projects ready for scale-up can apply for grants of up to ₹4.2 crore per project. For investors and observers, the key monitorable will be the success of these organizations in transitioning from pilot programs to sustained, large-scale operations, as well as the long-term impact of these digital services on the income and health outcomes of the targeted communities.