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    Omidyar Network India announces Rapid Response Funding for Covid-19

    Synopsis

    Omidyar Network announced a rapid response window to fund proposals that will support the 60% of India's income distribution in managing and help in mitigating the challenges that come with Covid-19.

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    They are inviting proposals that strengthen containment, detection and treatment, support crisis management capabilities, and enhance resilience and recovery in the wake of Covid-19.
    MUMBAI: Omidyar Network India has announced a call for proposals for rapid response funding to tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 situation and the consequent socio-economic impact. They have committed Rs. 7.5 crore ($1 million) to this initiative.

    In a statement the company said, "We recognise that the slowdown will most impact the vulnerable sections of our population and small businesses. Vendors, daily wage earners, the gig-economy workers will also feel the economic pressure. We are therefore announcing a rapid response window to fund proposals that support the lower 60% of India's income distribution in managing and mitigating the challenges that come with Covid-19."

    How much funding is being made available?
    • Rs. 7.5 crores ($1million) in aggregate under this initiative
    • Proposals in the range of Rs.5 lakh to Rs. 2 crore
    What types of initiatives will be considered?
    They are inviting proposals that strengthen containment, detection and treatment, support crisis management capabilities, and enhance resilience and recovery in the wake of Covid-19.

    An indicative list of the types of initiatives that will be considered:
    • Data, apps and other technological solutions (for example, real-time information apps, 'symptom checkers', vernacular 'helpline' chat bots, contact tracing applications, case reporting systems, etc.)
    • Community outreach and mobilisation campaigns that may be particularly relevant to the current situation (for example, innovative approaches to mass messaging and feedback loops)
    • Proposals that seek to improve economic resilience of NHB workers and small businesseswhose livelihoods are impacted due to Covid-19
    • Actionable research that enhances the ability of the government and public in dealing with the crisis (for example, enabling 'social distancing' in the Indian context).
    • Collaborative efforts by foundations, philanthropies, impact investing and venture capital firms in the above areas
    Selection criteria
    • Priority will be given to the following types of proposals:
    • Scalable solutions that leverage technology
    • Time-bound interventions that can be implemented quickly and benefit a large number of Indians, especially the lower 60% of India's income distribution
    • Solutions that have initial traction (this could be evidenced through, for example, government/community commitment to adopt the solution, completed pilots, available co-funding, etc.)
    Who can apply?
    • NGOs, research organisations, social entrepreneurs, and for-profit businesses seeking to do this on a no-profit basis.
    • The existing partner organisations are encouraged to apply
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    The Economic Times

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