HP Announces 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator to Drive Global Digital Inclusion Investing.com

Selected news

• Applications are open for the Digital Equity Accelerator. Qualified organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria and Spain are invited to apply by 12 February 2025.
• Digital Equity Accelerator, a joint initiative of HP Inc (NYSE: and the HP Foundation, helps nonprofits scale innovative approaches to meet the digital inclusion needs of historically unconnected youth and adults.
• In its first three years, the Accelerator helped 27 participating organizations expand their reach by more than 9 million.

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — To bridge the global digital divide and build the future of work, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) and the HP Foundation launch the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator and its call for submissions. This year, the Accelerator has evolved to focus on equipping historically disconnected youth and adults with the critical skills needed to participate and thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Selected nonprofits will receive $100,000 in HP Foundation grants, HP technology (valued at ~$100,000), and six months of programmatic support to scale digital equity solutions. For the first time, HP is offering the Accelerator program in four countries to further expand its geographic reach. Non-profit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria and Spain are invited to apply for the 2025 programme, including those using AI to improve performance. HP will accept applications until 11:59 PM EST on February 12, 2025.

At HP, we believe in leveraging technology to drive positive, lasting change and are committed to closing the digital divide for youth and adults who have historically been excluded from digital access so they can succeed in an increasingly competitive digital economy, said Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc., and Director, HP Foundation. As we enter our fourth year of the Digital Equity Accelerator, we are inspired by the progress made so far and excited to see the innovative AI-powered solutions that the 2025 cohort will present to address digital equity challenges.

Equipping young people and adults for the digital economy
The more than $1 trillion digital divide limits billions from achieving equal access to educational and economic opportunity. Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP aims to create a fairer world through access to technology, digital literacy and artificial intelligence, and quality skills content. The accelerator helps organizations build capacity and increase impact for digital capital solutions, especially among people who have traditionally been excluded.

Since 2022, Accelerator alumni have fueled the progress of many, advancing digital equality for teachers, women, and disconnected youth among others.

Program countries 2025: Fostering digital equality in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria and Spain
HP has strategically selected countries to address specific gaps in digital capital. These countries present different digital equity challenges, in line with HP’s commitment to fostering global digital inclusion.

• Greece: Greece faces a significant shortage of digital skills, especially among refugees, with only 52% of the population equipped with basic digital skills. [1]
• Indonesia: According to 2023 BPS data, 25.80% of young people in Indonesia are classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), with young women facing twice the unemployment rate compared to their male counterparts. This underscores the urgent need to address the digital skills gap and empower young Indonesians to thrive in the digital era. [2]
• Nigeria: Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest information and communication technology (ICT) market, has only 28% of its population using the internet, leaving many young people without employment or education opportunities. [3]
• Spain: Although Spain ranks high in digital skills, disparities still exist, especially among children and older generations, leaving gaps in access and job readiness in underserved communities.[4]

The global digital divide limits equal access to educational and economic opportunities
The growing digital divide continues to reshape the educational and economic landscapes, impacting the future workforce and overall social inclusion. According to the Global Education Coalition (GEC) report (2024), despite progress, significant challenges remain:

• Digital inequality: A large proportion of schools globally remain unconnected, with only 40% primary, 50% lower secondary schools, i 65% of high schools that have Internet access, leaving millions of students without essential Internet resources.
• Educational deficiencies: More than one in five (23.5%) young people (15-24 years old) are not in education, employment or training, while only 45% of teachers in lower secondary schools feel adequately trained to integrate technology into their teaching, even after they have received ICT training.
• Gender and regional differences: Only in Africa 36% of the population has access to the Internet, and women 16% less likely but men to use the mobile internet, emphasizing the need for gender-equal solutions.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs (2023), the skilled workforce continues to shrink, leaving employers without access to the talent needed to fill needed jobs:

• Global talent shortage: By 2030, the global economy could face a deficit of over 85 million skilled workerspotentially leading to 8.5 trillion dollars annual revenue shortfall if not resolved. According to a recent report, investing in AI skills for women and girls can bring a staggering $212 billion to the global economy. [5]

HP’s commitment to digital equity and sustainable impact
From 2021, HP is on track to accelerate digital capital for 150 million people by 2030, reaching 45 million people by 2023. This year’s evolving focus on equipping youth and adults with key skills reflects HP’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting economic inclusion. The Digital Equity Accelerator remains a cornerstone of this effort, investing in nonprofits to scale innovative solutions and create a more connected and inclusive world.

For more information on the Digital Equity Accelerator, visit the website.

About HP
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect with the things that matter most to them. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming and more. For more information, visit: http://www.hp.com.

Source: HP Inc.