Giga Accelerator seeks open-source solutions to connect schools

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have stepped up their drive for innovation to bring every school online.

A new programme from Giga, the joint ITU/UNICEF initiative supporting national governments in connecting schools to the Internet, is seeking scalable open-source digital infrastructure solutions to connect more schools even faster.

Set in motion on 18 August, the Giga Accelerator aims to identify, fund and scale open-source solutions to advance school connectivity.

With the support of the Government of Spain, the Regional Government of Catalonia, the City of Barcelona, and delivered jointly with global innovation platform Plug and Play, it will support a global cohort of 12 growth-stage organizations with tested solutions aimed at expanding Internet access in rural and remote environments.

The call for proposals is open until 21 September 2025.

Support for innovative solutions

“Digital solutions can be a game-changer, with the potential to accelerate progress across every aspect of social and economic development,” said Alex Wong, Senior Advisor, Office of the Secretary-General and Giga Co-Lead. “To that end, the Giga Accelerator Programme is designed to extend connectivity where it is needed most by helping growth-stage organizations maximize the reach of their digital products and tools.”

The Giga Accelerator will provide each participant with up to USD 50,000 in grant funding, as well as mentorship, technical guidance, and access to Giga’s global partner network.

Plug and Play – with proven expertise in accelerating start-ups – will oversee programme delivery, including curriculum development, expert-led workshops, and one-on-one mentorships focused on overcoming real-world barriers to implementation in underserved regions.

While most activities will be virtual, the Accelerator is anchored at the Giga Technology Centre in Barcelona, where the selected cohort will gather for a designated Community Day in December and Demo Day in March 2026. Leading solutions will also be showcased at Mobile World Congress 2026.

Ensuring access to opportunities

Applications are open to organizations from around the world to put forward bold, scalable solutions to some of the most pressing connectivity challenges faced by schools today. Organizations within Spain and women-owned organizations are particularly encouraged to apply.

After the 21 September close of applications, the programme aims to start work with the selected cohort in October.

The Giga Accelerator adds to a broader global effort to strengthen digital public infrastructure and scale up solutions that enable every child and community to access information, opportunity and choice.

Learn more about the Giga Accelerator programme.

Header image credit: @IVANFOTOGRAFIA