Articles
Solar Sister is addressing gender equity, energy poverty, and climate change
8 min read
Solar Sister, a nonprofit Cisco grant recipient, supports women entrepreneurs and supplies them with affordable energy products.
On International Women’s Day, Cisco supports Kiva in empowering women to become financially independent
2 min read
On this International Women’s Day, Cisco is honoring women by supporting Kiva’s campaign to fund $5.5 million USD in loans to women worldwide.
How Opportunity International empowers financial inclusion through digital banking
4 min read
Opportunity International continues to widen their reach and deepen their impact to empower people living in poverty to build resilience and economic security.
Talented Latinx youth launch their tech careers through Digital NEST
4 min read
We have a guest blog from Jacob Martinez, Founder and CEO of Digital NEST, which provides technology training to Latinx youth in agricultural communities.
Impact-First Microloans with Kiva support small businesses during economic downturn
3 min read
In the current economic environment, many small business owners are struggling and yet may not be able to access government support programs. Kiva has launched expanded services to provide zero interest loans to small businesses in need.
How Cisco’s nonprofit partners are pivoting and innovating to address unexpected needs
3 min read
The most vulnerable populations are the ones disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of global crises. Our nonprofit partners in economic empowerment are able to quickly adapt to the way they serve others.
Dispatch from the field: how a mobile app in East Africa empowers women while saving lives
4 min read
Community health worker Roseline Moenga explains how she uses technology to diagnose malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea in rural Kenya.
Non-profit spotlight: The high-touch, high-tech approach to digital financial services in India
3 min read
Opportunity International designed and implemented a suite of digital financial products and services to bank the unbanked. Our three-year partnership resulted in 20 million people reached via digital financial services and supported 3 million jobs, enabling individuals to support their families and contribute to the growth and vibrancy of their communities.
Empowering New Orleans’ Youth with Digital Skills
3 min read
I am happy to share the expansion of one such global problem solver — Anudip Foundation — who is changing the lives of youth, families, and communities across India, and now the United States.
Recognizing Programs that Empower Girls and Women
6 min read
As we prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, I am reflecting on so many factors that led to where I am today. My mother grew up in India when the path for most women was not one of higher education and a professional life. Yet, with the support of her family, she […]
Internet-Powered Jobs Transform Impoverished Youth into Lifelong Workers
4 min read
This blog was originally published on the Huffington Post I recently spent two weeks in Uganda and Kenya, meeting with nonprofit organizations that are applying technology-based solutions to help underserved populations access the knowledge, skills, and financial products and services they need to become economically self-sufficient. I lead the economic empowerment portfolio for Cisco and […]
How Mobile Phones Are Driving Business and Social Impact
5 min read
If you look around and think everyone has a mobile phone, you’re right. There are almost as many mobile subscriptions (6.8 billion) as there are people in the world (7.1 billion), according to the International Telecommunication Union. Even in developing countries, the mobile penetration rate (the number of mobile phone numbers within a specific population) […]
Cisco Partners Recognized as Social Entrepreneurs by Schwab Foundation
3 min read
Each year the Schwab Foundation presents Social Entrepreneur of the Year awards to people who apply innovative, practical approaches to resolving social and environmental challenges. Three of the 24 awardees announced on February 15 lead nonprofit organizations that Cisco partners with to promote education and economic empowerment around the world. These visionary leaders have leveraged […]
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