Today, CIRA is proud to announce 13 transformative, community-led initiatives funded through its 2025 Net Good Grants program. From remote broadband infrastructure to youth-focused cybersecurity training, these projects are advancing internet safety, access and digital sovereignty across Canada.
Each initiative equips communities with the tools, knowledge and infrastructure they need to thrive in an increasingly challenging digital world. The collective impact spans most provinces and territories, reflecting a broad and diverse commitment to digital resilience from the ground up.
Key insights
- Over 270,000 community members will benefit from this year’s Net Good Grants
- Three infrastructure projects building community-managed connectivity networks
- Two policy engagement projects raising awareness and amplifying local voices in internet sovereignty discussions
- Eight online safety projects empowering youth, educators and community leaders
In British Columbia, communities like rural Shuswap region and Cortes Island are developing locally governed broadband co-operatives so that they can build, own and operate networks to directly serve their residents and generate revenue.
Initiatives like the Digital Defenders Project in Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, the SmartScroll Digital Safety Program in small-town Ontario and Cyber Ready Islanders in Prince Edward Island are helping young people recognize and respond to online harms, misinformation and privacy risks.
For professional development, the University of Ottawa’s CyberSafe Youth project is delivering cyber attack simulation training to youth in Quebec and Ontario, while the Malahat Nation in B.C. is establishing a cybersecurity operations centre and training hub through its Malahat Internet Safety Initiative.
Every initiative is rooted in local collaboration, underscoring a community-first approach to digital empowerment. These projects not only focus on youth development, but will also train educators, parents and community leaders, extending their impact through intergenerational learning and institutional partnerships.
Whether through civic engagement in internet policy, broadband infrastructure co-ops, or multilingual online safety programs, these projects exemplify how community-led innovation can drive systemic change and ensure no one is left behind in Canada’s digital future.
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This entry was posted on July 24, 2025 at 10:01 am and is filed under Commentary with tags CIRA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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CIRA’s Net Good Grants back Indigenous, rural and youth-led initiatives for a safer, more connected Canada
Today, CIRA is proud to announce 13 transformative, community-led initiatives funded through its 2025 Net Good Grants program. From remote broadband infrastructure to youth-focused cybersecurity training, these projects are advancing internet safety, access and digital sovereignty across Canada.
Each initiative equips communities with the tools, knowledge and infrastructure they need to thrive in an increasingly challenging digital world. The collective impact spans most provinces and territories, reflecting a broad and diverse commitment to digital resilience from the ground up.
Key insights
In British Columbia, communities like rural Shuswap region and Cortes Island are developing locally governed broadband co-operatives so that they can build, own and operate networks to directly serve their residents and generate revenue.
Initiatives like the Digital Defenders Project in Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, the SmartScroll Digital Safety Program in small-town Ontario and Cyber Ready Islanders in Prince Edward Island are helping young people recognize and respond to online harms, misinformation and privacy risks.
For professional development, the University of Ottawa’s CyberSafe Youth project is delivering cyber attack simulation training to youth in Quebec and Ontario, while the Malahat Nation in B.C. is establishing a cybersecurity operations centre and training hub through its Malahat Internet Safety Initiative.
Every initiative is rooted in local collaboration, underscoring a community-first approach to digital empowerment. These projects not only focus on youth development, but will also train educators, parents and community leaders, extending their impact through intergenerational learning and institutional partnerships.
Whether through civic engagement in internet policy, broadband infrastructure co-ops, or multilingual online safety programs, these projects exemplify how community-led innovation can drive systemic change and ensure no one is left behind in Canada’s digital future.
Resources
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This entry was posted on July 24, 2025 at 10:01 am and is filed under Commentary with tags CIRA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.