Overcoming Barriers: Innovative Solutions for Global Connectivity Challenges
To reach the GitLab Foundation’s ambitious impact target of driving over $100 in increased lifetime earnings per dollar spent, access to modern amenities is key. Our grantees in each of our strategic areas work to ensure people have access to critical services regardless of their connectivity status.
Access to the internet is commonly defined as an essential human right. In the 21st century, it is critical not only for communicating with friends and family, but often also for accessing basic needs such as employment, education, healthcare and banking. However, global disparities in broadband access present significant challenges.
Globally, only 35% of people in developing nations have reliable internet access. The World Bank estimates that increasing this number to 75% could create 140 million new jobs and the World Economic Forum identifies internet access as crucial for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Within the U.S., 22.3% of Americans in rural areas and 27.7% on Tribal lands lack adequate internet coverage. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has provided support, helping 23 million U.S. households save on their internet bills since 2021, but its funding ran out in April 2024. Efforts in Congress to extend the program are ongoing, but many recipients already experience reduced benefits.
Overcoming the broadband barrier
Human-I-T provides devices, internet access, digital skills training and tech support to the more than 100 million Americans without access to digital technology and the internet. The organization emphasizes that internet access is not just an issue on its own, but an underlying problem that impacts people's ability to access education, employment, health care, and more.
Human-I-T works by partnering with community-based organizations to offer digital resources and services, such as hotspots and low-cost internet options, tailored to meet the needs of individuals.
“When we work within a community, we meet people where they are in their digital journey. The funding from the GitLab Foundation supports us in providing digital navigation services,” said Kristina Parks, philanthropy manager at Human-I-T. “We essentially get individuals connected by starting from scratch. We ask what their goals are and ensure they have the necessary resources to achieve them.”
In some locations such as California, where broadband is considered a utility, they partner with state and local agencies to help ensure individuals are connected to funds available for internet access.
Their comprehensive support system ensures that people are not just handed a computer and left to fend for themselves; Human-I-T provides ongoing tech support and digital literacy training, making sure users can navigate the internet effectively and take full advantage of the resources available to them.
While organizations like Human-I-T are making progress in increasing broadband availability, challenges to access remain. And, improving economic mobility often requires working within imperfect systems. We heard from additional GitLab Foundation grantees about how they navigate broadband challenges.
Strategic outreach in areas of limited connectivity
Buildher, a Kenya-based nonprofit, equips disadvantaged young women with accredited construction skills to promote economic mobility and gender equality. To reach the women they serve, Buildher uses a combination of in-person and digital outreach - focused on engagement via social media. The organization leverages its participants’ networks and maintains an engaging presence on social media platforms, which is where the women it aims to reach are most likely to spend their time online.
Buildher’s approach ensures that it maximizes awareness of its programs, even when many lack reliable internet access, and it has proven effective — more than 50% of its participants learn about Buildher through social media, helping them gain access to programs that increase alumni incomes by two to three times on average.
Partnerships to support internet access
Coalfield Development diversifies the southern West Virginia economy by training local workers for emerging industries and revitalizing underserved communities.
“In every challenge, there is an opportunity. But we've not been able to crack some of our challenges yet,” said CEO Jacob Hannah. “For example, a lot of our communities are geographically isolated because of the mountainous region that we live in, so broadband is greatly behind in terms of connectivity and logistics. We found that we don't have the comparative advantage to find a solution.”
Instead, Coalfield Development relies on trusted partners in their region with the expertise to tackle the challenges they can’t. While the organization doesn’t have a partner that is specifically tackling broadband access yet, Hannah likened it to the issue of abandoned mine land across southern West Virginia, which is being addressed through innovative solutions.
“There are 800,000 acres of abandoned mine land in Appalachia,” he said. “Now, organizations like West Virginia University and the Nature Conservancy are stepping in to reclaim and restore that land.”
Despite challenges, these organizations provide a roadmap for ensuring that all individuals can access opportunities for a better life.
Return on Investment
Human-I-T
261x ROI
This project is estimated to increase annual earnings by $6,777 per person, for a total additional lifetime earnings of $203,310 per person
Total lifetime earnings increase across all participants: $236,042,910
$250,000 invested
Buildher
The projected cost efficiency of this grant is $530 per person to double their income over their life (cost per DIL).
This project is estimated to cost $769 per person to increase their lifetime earnings 160%
Total lifetime earnings increase across all participants: $10,452,000
This project is estimated to increase annual earnings by $960 per person, for a total additional lifetime earnings of $26,130 per person
Coalfield Development
115x ROI
This project is estimated to increase annual earnings by $27,400 per person, for a total additional lifetime earnings of $808,300 per person
Total lifetime earnings increase across all participants: $355,652,000
$800,000 invested
