BØRNEfonden and BLUETOWN partners on internet in Africa

BØRNEfonden [The Children and Youth Foundation] and Danish tech company BLUETOWN has taken a first joint step towards expanding internet access in several African countries and thereby helping children, youngsters and their school teachers, starting in Burkina Faso. The new partnership holds great potential for improving learning and knowledge levels in vulnerable parts of Africa.

A new synergy is created between BØRNEfonden and the Danish tech company BLUETOWN to the benefit of Africa’s children, youngsters and their school teachers. In short, the idea is that BLUETOWN will provide internet access through their customized technology, while BØRNEfonden has insight into local school systems and educational knowhow, which benefits pupils and teachers in the areas they operate. When the project is established in Burkina Faso, the method can be expanded to other African countries, beginning with Benin in West Africa.

”BLUETOWN’s vision is to spread internet access in the developing world, where knowledge and market information is not easily accessible today. Our partnership with BØRNEfonden in Burkina Faso will contribute to improving the conditions for children and their teachers in remote and often isolated areas,” says Peter Ib, CEO of BLUETOWN.

The parties agree to partner on a large project, supporting a national strategy for internet access in Burkina Faso. At present, there is framework agreement for the partnership. BØRNEfonden’s local staff will be involved in the projects, which, among other things, entails installing internet masts to connect local BLUETOWN hotspots. When BØRNEfonden’s project- and program staff have acquired BLUETOWN’s internet expertise, the solution can be expanded in the region. Reversely, BLUETOWN will obtain BØRNEfonden’s knowledge on school projects, and both parties will benefit from each other’s local contacts.

”To contribute to the development of sustainable communities in the poorest corner of the world demands more than access to water and education. Therefore, it is a great pleasure to present our groundbreaking partnership with BLUETOWN. The partnership is an example of how a tech company and an NGO can work together to ensure that even fragile communities benefit from technology in their efforts to become sustainable,” says Stine Bosse, chairman of BØRNEfonden.

”It is vital to BLUETOWN to work with a partner such as BØRNEfonden who knows the local conditions. We develop solutions in our headquarters in Copenhagen and have substantial experience in developing countries. We know that local contacts make things happen,” says Peter Ib.

The funding will be found from official sources, private foundations and companies as well as large international development donors. BLUETOWN’s solution consists of 6 to 24 meter high masts with parabolic antennas attached. They communicate with other parabolic antennas through internet hubs and attains internet access through optic fiber or satellites. The internet masts are powered by solar and rechargeable batteries. This enables BLUETOWN to provide internet to even the most remote villages.

BØRNEfonden has worked for 45 years in some of the poorest countries in the world and is one of the largest privately funded development organizations in Denmark. In cooperation with local communities, organizations and public authorities BØRNEfonden operates 15 to 20 years in each community to ensure a sustainable future for the local children and families.

Further information: Chairman of BØRNEfonden Stine Bosse through communications consultant Gitte Meyer Madsen: +45 29 42 15 14, and CEO of BLUETOWN Peter Ib: +45 20 81 58 28 · pi@bluetown.com

*The following link is in Danish*

https://bornefonden.dk/bluetown