Public benefit
Improving the lives of one million young people
The internet and digital technology have the power to transform lives by creating opportunities and providing support where it’s needed most. But they also have the power to leave young people behind. Our public benefit programmes provide support and opportunities to tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today.
We believe in a UK that is connected, inclusive and secure
Our Public Benefit strategy drives this ambition, formalising our social impact with a focus on initiatives that promote greater connectivity, inclusivity and security. We work to create lasting improvements by targeting a range of emerging issues born out of our digital age, such as online safety and digital inclusion. We also address long-standing social challenges in which technology can play a pivotal role.
Funded programmes
As our new strategy evolves we will be launching a series of programmes and partnerships to improve the lives of one million young people by the end of 2020. A number of ground-breaking partnerships are already under way, working to support thousands of young people across the UK. This expands from universal access to digital skills and understanding, through to supporting young people with more complex needs.
Nominet Digital Neighbourhood
A unique digital skills training and work experience programme that pioneers a new approach to tackling two of the UK’s most pressing digital challenges. In partnership with Livity, we are equipping young people with professional digital skills and matching them with local SMEs seeking to boost their digital capability. This year we've been to London, Preston, Exeter and Cardiff, providing over 200 opportunities for young people. The programme was a finalist in the 2018 AbiltyNet Tech4good awards.
Prince's Trust Online
Nominet is a founding partner of a new initiative to transform the services offered by the Prince’s Trust to support people aged between 18 and 30. The new online platform will allow the charity to reach more young people more effectively, enabling them to achieve their potential.
Micro:bit Educational Foundation
As a founding partner alongside companies such as the BBC, Microsoft and ARM, we are working closely with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation to significantly improve access to digital skills resources for KS3 pupils and teachers throughout England. Our latest programme will transform the micro:bit online platform so that a young person’s journey with technology in schools is both rewarding, inspiring and fun.
Children in Need
As a partner of BBC Children in Need 2018, we will be funding projects that support vulnerable young people who can benefit the most from digital. We aim to help disadvantaged children across the UK access opportunities from a wide range of new advancements in technology and digital inclusion programmes. We want to highlight how digital can be used effectively by small charities and community groups across the UK.
Our work is supported by the proceeds of our core business providing a trusted online home for millions of businesses and keeping over 11 million domains ending in .UK safe and secure with our cyber security services. To date, we have donated over £45m to tech-for-good initiatives that have helped and supported over 10 million people.