[Chapter-delegates] New Programme in Asia-Pacific Region

[Karen Rose]

Dear Colleagues :

ISOC is a partner in a new programme called the Information Society 
Information Fund for Asia (ISIF).  It provides small grants of up to 
US$30,000 to help advance local and regional projects aimed introducing, 
improving, and applying Internet and ICT technology for the benefit of 
Asia-Pacific users and communities, with a particular emphasis on less 
developed countries. The programme is a partnership between APNIC, ISOC, 
and the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC).


The first grant round will open officially next week, with submissions 
due by 1 September.  Asia-Pacific-based public or private sector 
organisations, university or research and development  institutions, and 
non-government organisations are eligible to apply.  Projects must have 
solid participation by organisations and communities from lesser 
developed regions in the Asia Pacific.  More specific details on 
programme objectives, grant criteria, and how to apply is available at 
http://www.isif.asia.


The ISIF secretariat is printing brochures about the programme for 
distribution.  If your chapter is in the Asia-Pacific or has links with 
other organisations in the Asia-Pacific, particularly developing 
regions, and you would like brochures to distribute to your community 
and partners about the programme, we would be happy have some sent to 
you (probably around 20-25, depending on demand, as numbers are 
limited).  Please send an e-mail to chapters at isoc.org with your mailing 
information if you wish to receive some.  A PDF version of the brochure 
is also available on the ISIF website, should you wish to distribute it 
via e-mail.


A press release will be issued next week about the programme, which we 
will be sure to send to the chapter-delegates list.


Thanks and best regards,
Karen