WHAT WE FUND
Funding Windows
Funding Windows (“Pillars”) under this fund are aligned with action areas of the Road Map for Digital Cooperation and commitments of the Global Digital Compact, strategically timed for stakeholder engagement and impact, including in view of the High-level review of the Global Digital Compact during the eighty-second session of the General Assembly in 2028.
Additional Pillars may be defined as new policy windows open and donor interest rises in specific areas.
PILLAR 1 – DIGITAL COOPERATION ON AI GOVERNANCE:
The pace of digital technology development is challenging governance systems. AI in particular shows how challenging this governance gap has become. Applied well, AI also holds tremendous potential for economies, societies and the planet.
This Pillar will invite proposals that forward digital cooperation on AI governance in the interest of all humanity, supporting digital cooperation on AI governance in support of the Fund’s vision and mission, including follow-up to the Secretary-General’s Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence and commitments under the GDC.
Supports implementation of recommendations from the Secretary-General’s Advisory Body on AI, Roadmap Recommendation 3C, and GDC Objective 5.
PILLAR 2 – SAFE & INCLUSIVE DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE (DPI):
The race by governments and companies to deploy Digital Public Infrastructures without adequate attention to safety, inclusion and human rights risks compromising citizen trust in, and the economic development potential of, these transformative technologies.
This Pillar will invite proposals that forward cross-border digital cooperation on DPI standards that bring about alignment with human rights by providing guardrails for operational actors in the DPI space to align with when designing, developing and deploying DPIs.
Supports Roadmap Recommendations 1C and 3A, GDC Objective 1.
PILLAR 3 – GLOBAL DIGITAL COOPERATION ARCHITECTURE:
The existing digital cooperation architecture has become highly complex and diffuse but not necessarily effective, exacerbated by the lack of clear entry points.
This Pillar will invite proposals that make it easier for developing countries, small and medium-sized enterprises, marginalized groups and other stakeholders with limited budgets and expertise to make their voices heard.
Supports Roadmap Recommendations 5A and 5B and the wider implementation of the Global Digital Compact.
PILLAR 4 – DIGITAL COOPERATION ON DATA GOVERNANCE:
The GDC recognizes that responsible and interoperable data governance is essential to advance development objectives, protect human rights, foster innovation and promote economic growth. There is an urgent need for strengthened data governance cooperation at all levels with the effective, equitable and meaningful participation of all countries and in consultation with relevant stakeholders to unlock the full potential of digital and emerging technologies.
This Pillar will invite proposals that forward digital cooperation on data governance in the interest of all humanity, supporting digital cooperation on data governance in support of the Fund’s vision and mission, including support to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development’s dedicated working group’s engagement in a comprehensive and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue on data governance at all levels as relevant for development.
Supports GDC Objective 4.
PILLAR 5 – OPEN-SOURCE COOPERATION:
The GDC and Roadmap acknowledge the importance of open-source software as a category of digital public goods. Open-source software offers significant advantages, including cost efficiency due to the elimination of licensing fees, increased transparency through publicly available code, and unparalleled flexibility for customization.
This pillar will invite proposals furthering international cooperation on open-source software, such as the cross-border sharing of expertise between Open-Source Project Offices, and collective action to support the maintenance of globally crucial open-source elements.
Supports Roadmap Recommendation 1B, GDC Objective 1.