Implement the district of columbia digital equity plan developed pursuant to the state digital equity planning grant program

The District of Columbia received a $3,804,000 Project Grant award from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Program (CFDA 11.032). The purpose of the grant is to implement the District's Digital Equity Plan, which includes scaling existing state-led digital programming, collaborating with other agencies on new initiatives, developing public-private partnerships, and launching a digital equity subgrant program for eligible entities such as community organizations and educational institutions. The proposed activities aim to ensure digital equity funds are invested effectively, increase stakeholder engagement, support residents in growing their incomes and equity, enhance government services and civic engagement, and build sustainability within the District's digital equity capacity. The grant has an award date of January 1, 2025, and an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2029.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to implement the district of columbia digital equity plan developed pursuant to the state digital equity planning grant program.

Activities

The proposed project activities include: scaling existing state-led programming; collaborating with other state agencies including universities on new programming and research; developing public-private partnerships such as DC tech hubs, omni-channel tech support and a break/fix ecosystem, as well as device-lending and distribution programs; launching digital equity subgrant program for eligible entities such as community and economic development agencies, educational institutions and programs, and nonprofit organizations. Potential programming includes user training in cybersecurity; digital literacy/upskilling from beginner to advanced levels; computing coding; multi-lingual outreach; and prisoner education to promote pre-release digital literacy skills, job skills, online job acquisition skills, etc.

Expected outcomes

The proposed projects will result in: ensuring digital equity funds are invested in effective and sustainable ways, increasing the level of stakeholder engagement, supporting residents in growing their incomes and increasing equity, making core government services and customer experiences more effective, improving civic engagement, building sustainability and resiliency within DE capacity grant programs.

Intended beneficiaries

Residents of the district of columbia and principally unserved and underserved covered populations statewide.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does plan to subaward funds. The purpose is for implementing the DE plan activities.