Funding (was Re: Draft framework)

Ross Gardler wrote:
> Raul Bermudez wrote:
> 
>>> From: Ross Gardler <[email protected]>
>>>
>>> you better be sure that the resources are available to
>>> make such promised functionality work in Burrokeet
>>>
>>
>>
>> How does one go about doing that?
> 
> 
> See later in the same mail "Request for Enhancements"

Of course, if the question is a little deeper and is actually "can we 
get some funding to help with this project", there is a different answer.

That answer is *yes*, however, the funding I have in mind requires much 
more from CIS than is currently being discussed. You need a solid team 
capable of importing hardware and efficiently rolling out to schools, 
libraries, community centres etc. In *addition* to this draft proposal 
and adding to it the provision of Content.

I am hoping to make an application for these funds in co-operation with 
another group in Africa and would love to include CIS in that same proposal.

There is a reasonably large pot of cash available, however, it is a 
competitive bid process and so the team needs to be *rock* solid. CIS 
has a team emerging around this proposal (well done Allan and Anil), I'm 
watching with great interest, but my current impression is that CIS will 
not be ready for the next round of Funding (proposals due March 5th), I 
believe you should be aiming at the following round (July 1st). By then 
Burrokeet will be more mature and CIS should have some test sites in 
place and be ready to take on something much bigger.

If you are interested in following up on this opportunity independently 
you are, of course, free to do so (I believe competition is healthy, so 
I won't be offended if you set up a competitive proposal to my own - 
besides if you use Burrokeet I will benefit indirectly anyway).

The outline for the fund is:

Today, there is an access and technology gap that exists between the 
rich and the poor, minorities and majority communities, the connected 
and the unconnected, and the "haves" and the "have-nots". Additionally, 
there is a gap growing between the developed/industrialized countries 
and the developing and the lesser-developed. This gap has been defined 
as the digital divide.

In support of its mission, the EDS Foundation will focus on supporting 
the solutions to the digital divide that affect communities globally. 
The EDS Foundation will fund programs that provide the following:


  * Access -- Provision of computers and Internet connections to 
community access centers such as schools, libraries, community 
organizations, and other public access points. The EDS Foundation would 
provide access grants only if the other program elements were present. 
The foundation would not fund access only.

* Content -- Educational software and other programs. This could range 
from elementary and secondary school academic software to programs that 
prepare adults for the workplace.

* Professional development -- Training programs targeted to teachers, 
counselors, program administrators and staff on how to maximize the use 
of technology.

* Evaluation -- Each program would have to define its objectives and 
demonstrate how it measures success.

More info from http://www.eds.com/about/community/foundation/

Ross

Visit the CIS Project on the WWW:  http://www.cis.org.tt

View the offlist archives: http://blog.gmane.org/gmane.education.cis

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