Partnerships

About Giga partnerships

Giga, a joint initiative between UNICEF and ITU, combines decades of experience working for children’s rights and education as well as convening of the telecommunications and ICT stakeholders globally. Collaboration is core to Giga success and growth, with partners providing invaluable support including funding, technical expertise, data and infrastructure.

Our mission is to connect every school to the internet and provide every child with access to information, opportunity, and choice which requires a collective effort from all stakeholders in the sector.

Giga operates through partnerships at every level, with governments, companies, and institutions across research, education, and the private sector. We collaborate with mission-aligned partners to advance universal school connectivity through open-source technology, shared knowledge, investment, and advocacy. How could you join forces with Giga to help achieve this goal?

If you are interested in partnering with Giga, please contact us or email us at info@gigaglobal. Please note that partnerships supporting the Giga initiative are concluded through UNICEF or ITU, depending on the nature of the collaboration.

Explore our partnerships

Public Sector Partners
Our public sector partners include governments, international financial institutions and other multilateral organizations.
Public Partnerships
Public Sector Partners

Government Partnerships and Technical Support
Giga works closely with national governments to provide technical support and develop internet connectivity solutions tailored to each country’s context and challenges. Through UNICEF Country Offices and ITU regional offices, Giga engages with ministries of education, ICT, and other key national stakeholders. See where we work.

Collaboration with International Financial Institutions
Giga also partners with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) that have experience in funding digital infrastructure and education initiatives. These partnerships help connect governments in need of funding with institutions that can support national efforts to expand school connectivity. Read more

Private Sector Partners
Our private sector partners include the corporate sector, foundations, philanthropists and others.
Private Partnerships
Private Sector Partners

Driving Innovation and Investment for Digital Inclusion
 Giga partners with leading companies to accelerate connectivity for schools through cutting-edge technology, infrastructure, and sustainable funding models. These collaborations enable affordable, reliable internet access and foster innovation for long-term impact.

Examples of Engagement

  • Technology & Telecom Leaders: Deliver infrastructure and connectivity solutions tailored to local needs.
  • Financial Institutions & Corporations: Provide funding, impact investment, and CSR initiatives.
  • Innovation Partners: Co-create scalable solutions for affordability and sustainability.

Why It Matters
Private sector partnerships amplify Giga’s mission by leveraging expertise and market-driven approaches to close the digital divide.

United Nations Partners
As part of the UN system, we work closely with other UN agencies to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on inclusive and affordable connectivity for every school.
UN Partnerships
United Nations Partners
  • The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Smart Africa collaborate with Giga to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem, supporting governments in developing sustainable connectivity models and facilitating market access to expand internet availability for schools and communities.
  • UNESCO supports Giga through the Digital Transformation Collaborative, the GEM Report, and the Gateways Framework, aligning digital transformation with education goals.

Recognized in the Global Digital Compact (GDC), Giga also partners with UNITAR, UNHCR, UPU, and other UN agencies to leverage connectivity for education, health, and community empowerment.

Academia Partners
Giga partners with academic institutions to advance research, generate evidence and explore innovative solutions for school connectivity.
Academia Partnerships
Academia Partners

Giga collaborates with the University of Geneva through the Giga Research Lab (GRL), a joint initiative that addresses the global digital divide by turning research into real-world solutions to help governments connect schools to the internet. Based in Geneva, the Lab brings together researchers, students, policymakers, and industry leaders to drive evidence-based research and knowledge for digital inclusion.

Giga partnership models

Financial partnerships
Our partners provide financial support to help us expand our field presence, deploying open-source tools, delivering training, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of connectivity initiatives. Additionally, their contributions enable us to sustain operations across Giga’s two global hubs of innovation, technical excellence, and strategic convenings: the Giga Centre in Geneva and the Giga Technology Centre in Barcelona.
Non-financial partnerships
Providing safe, meaningful connectivity to every child is an unprecedented challenge we face in a rapidly digitizing world. Giga is committed to developing robust, open-source technological solutions that are adaptable across diverse contexts. Our partners have played a vital role in advancing this mission by granting access to high-performance computing, co-developing applications to monitor internet connectivity, and contributing software developers and engineers.
Data sharing
Accurately identifying connectivity gaps and opportunities requires updated, quality data. Our partners share data on the location of schools and connectivity infrastructure, as well as available connectivity services, enabling effective mapping and modelling of connectivity solutions and investment.
Product development
Giga develops open-source technologies to support the identification of connectivity gaps and solutions. Our partners share their expertise, research, software, infrastructure and capacity to co-development of innovative solutions and products, including the development of AI algorithms to identify schools from satellite imagery, and software applications to track school real-time connectivity status.
Advocacy
Giga actively engages governments and decision makers advocating for effective planning and investment for school connectivity. Our partners work together with us to amplify awareness and a call to action for policy frameworks that enable affordable, sustainable and meaningful connectivity for all.

Government partners

Private partners

Partner with Giga

Share your ideas of how your business, your ideas, or your expertise can make a difference with Giga.

If you are interested in partnering with Giga, please contact us or email us at info@gigaglobal. Please note that partnerships supporting the Giga initiative are concluded through UNICEF or ITU, depending on the nature of the collaboration.

Let’s build a connected future together