Rapid Response Funding Announced By Omidyar Network India

In a bid to tackle the challenges posed by COVID-19, Omidyar Network India announced today a call for proposal for rapid response funding to deal with the socio-economic impact the country is currently going through. The company itself has committed to a sum of Rs. 7.5 crore ($1 million) to this initiative.

COVID-19 is being considered as a challenge that the world needs to face together and is the biggest threat humankind has witnessed in recent decades. Government, doctors, investors and communities from every country are coming together to ease the situation, and so is Omidyar Network India whose purpose has always been to serve India’s “next half billion”, comprising vendors, daily wage earners, gig-workers and small businesses. The rapid response force has been announced to serve lower 60 per cent of India’s income distribution in managing and mitigating the challenges of Coronavirus or COVID-19.

The fund made available by Omidyar Network India is Rs. 7.5 crore ($1 million) in aggregate under this initiative along with proposals in the range of Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 2 crores. The company is willing to welcome anyone who can produce a solution to strengthen containment, detection and treatment, support crisis management capabilities, and enhance resilience and recovery. Below is a list of initiatives that will fall in accordance with guidelines of Omidyar Network India:

• Data, apps and other technological solutions (for example, real-time information apps, ‘symptom checkers’, vernacular ‘helpline’ chatbots, contact tracing applications, case reporting systems, etc.)
• Community outreach and mobilisation campaigns that may be particularly relevant to the current situation.
• Proposals that seek to improve the economic resilience of NHB workers and small businesses whose livelihoods are impacted due to Covid-19.
• Actionable research that enhances the ability of the government and the public in dealing with the crisis.
• Collaborative efforts by foundations, philanthropies, impact investing and venture capital firms in the above areas.

The selection of the proposals will be based on a scalable solution that leverage technology, can be implemented quickly and has initial traction. Also, the projects must benefit the lower 60% of India’s income distribution. NGOs, research organisations, social entrepreneurs and existing partners can apply to contribute in the fight against COVID-19. Not to mention, profit-seeking business organisations with no-profit basis are welcomed to apply as well. 

Proposals can be sent to [email protected]  along with the subject line “Next Half Billion – Covid19 related proposal”.