Introduction
Digital equity is a gateway. For millions of young people across Nigeria — and broadly across Africa and Asia — it unlocks better education, work, entrepreneurship, and civic participation. But access is uneven: a promising cohort of digitally talented youth still lack devices, quality training, or pathways into the digital economy.
That’s where corporate-philanthropy accelerators like HP’s Digital Equity Accelerator come in. Beyond a cash injection, they bring technology, technical assistance, and global networks that help local organizations scale sustainable digital skills programs. This guide walks you through everything a nonprofit or social enterprise needs to know to prepare a strong application for the HP Digital Equity Accelerator (2025 edition), and — importantly — how to convert the grant into measurable, long-term impact for Nigerian youth.
I researched HP’s official program details and global digital inclusion frameworks to ensure accuracy and practical guidance. Read the HP program overview for the official program description and the UN’s analysis of digital inclusion to understand the broader context. (Links embedded below.)
Why the HP Digital Equity Accelerator matters (a short case for action)
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Scale + credibility: A US$100,000 grant paired with HP technology and a structured accelerator gives small and medium nonprofits an opportunity to expand operations and attract further partnerships.
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Holistic support: The funding is unrestricted (which is rare), and the accelerator includes mentorship, technical consultations, and organizational capacity building — critical for long-term sustainability. HP
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Targeted focus: The 2025 program emphasized organizations tackling digital inclusion and preparing youth for the future of work; Nigeria was one of the eligible countries, reflecting recognition of the country’s youthful population and tech ecosystem.
At the same time, global frameworks highlight that digital inclusion must go beyond devices to include skills, ethics, accessibility, and lifelong learning — a perspective HP’s Accelerator is designed to support.
Who should read this guide
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Leaders or program managers at NGOs, registered nonprofits, and social enterprises in Nigeria focused on digital skills, youth empowerment, girls in tech, community ICT centers, teacher training, and similar programs.
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Newer organizations that have 1–2 years of program experience and want to professionalize and scale.
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Organizations preparing proposal drafts, statements of purpose, or organizational documents for applications.
Short program overview (what HP offers)
The Accelerator offers three pillars of support:
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Cash grant — up to US$100,000 from the HP Foundation to selected nonprofits.
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Technology package — HP technology and solutions (valued at about US$100,000) to help implement or scale programs.
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Six-month Accelerator — cohort-based virtual program with training, mentorship, technical consultations, and a final pitch/ showcase.
2025 focus: For the first time the program targeted organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain, highlighting HP’s approach to geographic focus per year.
Big picture: Why digital skills for Nigerian youth matter (context & evidence)
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Nigeria has a fast-growing youth population; digital skills help transform unemployment into entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
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Digital inclusion isn’t only about hardware — it also requires digital literacy, pedagogical capacity, internet access, accessibility for persons with disabilities, gender-sensitive programming, and pathways to jobs (internships, freelancing platforms, employer partnerships). UNESCO and global policy frameworks emphasize holistic approaches to digital inclusion.
How to decide if your organization is a good fit
Ask yourself:
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Are you a legally registered nonprofit or NGO operating primarily in Nigeria? (Legal status is required.)
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Do you already run a program that teaches digital skills, runs community labs, or integrates technology into learning/employment pathways?
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Can your organization receive grant funds from a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) (many HP grants are issued through U.S. foundation structures — check HP’s application portal for country-specific instructions)?
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Do you have basic monitoring methods (simple indicators such as number of trainees, completion rate, placement rate)?
If you answered yes to most of these — this Accelerator could be a strategic fit.
Step-by-step application guide — from zero to submitted (detailed for newbies)
This section is the heart of the guide. Think of these steps as a checklist you can act on today.
Step 0 — Before you begin: Gather your core team
Build a small proposal team with:
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A program lead who understands implementation details.
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A monitoring & evaluation (M&E) person or someone who can set simple indicators.
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A finance person who can prepare budgets and confirm organizational legal/financial documents.
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A leader who can present on behalf of the organization (CEO/Executive Director).
Step 1 — Confirm eligibility
Check HP’s official criteria on the application page. Key items typically include:
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Registered nonprofit (local registration).
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Program focus on digital inclusion, digital literacy, or workforce readiness.
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Majority of activities occurring in eligible country (Nigeria).
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Ability to receive funds via an international grant mechanism (HP will typically list payment modalities and partner foundations).
Step 2 — Collect legal & organizational documents (do this early)
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Registration certificate (CAC in Nigeria)
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Tax exemption or NGO documentation (if applicable)
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Board list and leadership bios (1-page CVs)
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Recent annual report or program report (even a one-page summary is helpful)
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Bank account information and financial contact
Tip: Put these documents into a single zipped folder named HP_Accelerator_OrgName_2025.zip for easy upload.
Step 3 — Prepare a short organizational profile (1-2 pages)
Your profile should include:
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Mission and vision (1 paragraph each)
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Core programs (bullet points, with years and brief impact stats)
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Geographic reach (states/regions in Nigeria you serve)
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Partnerships and past funders (if any)
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Contact details and registration number
Step 4 — Write a tight problem statement (max 2 short paragraphs)
Focus: who is underserved, where, and how the digital gap manifests. Use local facts (e.g., “In State X, only Y% of secondary schools have working computer labs”) but avoid invented statistics — use program data where possible.
Step 5 — Design a clear solution (your program concept)
Structure your program concept like a mini-project plan:
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Objective (1 sentence): Example — “Equip 1,200 out-of-school youth in Lagos and Ogun with entry-level digital skills and job placement support within 12 months.”
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Activities (bulleted): Training modules (basic digital literacy, online safety, employability modules), device lending, career coaching, employer partnerships, hackathons.
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Timeline (quarterly): Q1 onboarding, Q2 training rollout, Q3 internships/placements, Q4 evaluation & sustainability.
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Budget headline: How will the US$100,000 be used? Provide categories (personnel, training materials, devices, stipends, monitoring). See sample budget template below.
Step 6 — Impact metrics (M&E made simple)
Choose 6–8 indicators. Keep them measurable and realistic:
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Number of youth trained (disaggregated by gender)
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Completion rate (%)
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Number of youth placed in jobs or internships within 6 months
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Digital literacy pre/post score improvement (simple assessment)
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Number of teachers trained (if relevant)
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Sustainability metric: number of partnerships or revenue streams established
Tip: Present a baseline and target (e.g., baseline = 0 paid internships, target = 120 internships in 12 months).
Step 7 — Create a sustainability plan (this matters more than you think)
Donors look for continuity beyond the grant. Describe:
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Local partnerships (schools, tech hubs, corporate partners)
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Income-generating elements (small training fees, device rental, service contracts with companies)
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Plans to mainstream the program into local institutions or to secure follow-on funding
Step 8 — Draft your budget (simple but convincing)
Sample budget categories: Personnel, training materials, devices/peripherals, internet & connectivity costs, stipends or transport support for participants, M&E costs, admin & overhead, contingency.
Budget headline example (for planning only):
| Category | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Program staff (6 months) | 25,000 |
| Training materials & curriculum development | 8,000 |
| Devices & peripherals (laptops, tablets) | 35,000 |
| Internet & connectivity (6 months) | 6,000 |
| Trainee stipends / transport support | 8,000 |
| Monitoring & evaluation | 5,000 |
| Partnerships & employer engagement | 3,000 |
| Contingency (5%) | 5,000 |
| Total | 95,000 |
(The program can adapt these numbers; the key is transparency and alignment with your activities.)
Step 9 — Draft an engaging Statement of Purpose / Executive Summary (1 page)
This is the narrative that sells your idea. Use the structure below:
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Hook (1–2 sentences): A sharp lead that highlights the issue and urgency.
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What you propose (1 paragraph): Clear, concrete program description.
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Who benefits (bullet points): Total beneficiaries and target groups.
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Why you can do it (1 paragraph): Evidence of capacity & past results.
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Ask (1 sentence): “We request US$100,000 to scale X.”
(We’ll give a sample Statement of Purpose later.)
Step 10 — Complete the online form and upload documents
When filling HP’s application platform:
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Use plain language and short paragraphs.
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Upload documents with clear file names (e.g.,
OrgName_CAC_2025.pdf). -
Double-check contact emails and phone numbers.
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Save screenshots of your submission confirmation.
Step 11 — Prepare for interviews and due diligence
If shortlisted, expect:
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A virtual interview or pitch.
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Requests for additional documents (bank details, audited accounts).
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A team presentation (practice a 5–7 minute pitch + Q&A).
Step 12 — If selected — plan for implementation and reporting
Create a 6-month implementation calendar (HP’s Accelerator runs for six months) and prepare basic monthly reporting templates (activities, milestones, challenges, M&E updates, budget burn rate).
Sample Statement of Purpose (SOP) — edit for your organization
Title: Scaling Digital Skills for 1,200 Disconnected Youth in Lagos & Ogun
Problem (hook): In Lagos and Ogun states, thousands of young people leave school without the basic digital skills employers now require. This creates a durable barrier to entry into the digital economy.
Our solution: [Your Organization] will implement a 12-month Digital Futures program that trains 1,200 youth in foundational digital literacy, introductory coding, online safety, and employability skills; provides device access through a loan scheme; and links trained youth to internships and local employers.
Why we can deliver: Over the past two years, we’ve trained 1,800 students in digital literacy with a 78% course completion rate and placed 240 into internships with partner companies. Our leadership team includes a program manager with a decade of experience in youth training, and our M&E approach tracks both skills improvement and placement outcomes.
Funding request: We request US$100,000 from the HP Digital Equity Accelerator to scale the program, provide devices and stipends, and strengthen our M&E to track impact.
Sustainability: We will introduce a small trainee fee for advanced modules, formalize employer-sponsored internships, and partner with local government for program adoption in two pilot secondary schools.
Comparison table — typical Accelerator benefits VS what your org must bring
| Element | What HP Accelerator provides | What your organization should bring |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | Up to US$100,000 in unrestricted grant funding. | Transparent financial stewardship; ability to absorb and report funds. |
| Technology | HP hardware & solutions (~US$100k value). | Local capacity to deploy & secure devices; basic IT support staff. |
| Capacity Building | 6-month cohort program: training, mentorship, technical consultations. | A leader ready to participate in the program and apply learnings. |
| Scale | Global showcase and network access | Clear scaling plan and local partnerships. |
| Due Diligence | Selection & vetting | Timely responses to requests for documents and clarifications. |
Writing tips: how to make your application stand out
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Tell a human story — couple your data with a short beneficiary story (one or two sentences) showing real-life impact.
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Be realistic and focused — choose a measurable, time-bound target rather than a vague “scale nationwide” promise.
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Show partnerships — credible partners (schools, tech hubs, employers) increase confidence.
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Demonstrate M&E basics — pre/post assessments, clear indicators, and data collection methods matter.
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Include a sustainability plan — show how the intervention continues after HP funding ends.
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Use clear budgets — round numbers and clear categories; include assumptions.
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Be concise — reviewers read many applications. Plain language and bullet points help.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them (expanded)
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Claiming unrealistic reach. Don’t promise 10,000 beneficiaries with 2 staff members. Instead, model realistic ratios (trainers to trainees) and timelines.
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Weak M&E. Avoid qualitative-only indicators. Use a mix: numbers (trained, employed), quality (pre/post test scores), and stories.
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No contingency plan. Programs face delays. Add contingency months and budget lines.
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Neglecting inclusion. Programs that don’t explain how they include women, people with disabilities, or rural youth get weaker scores. Disaggregate targets by gender/location.
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Poorly formatted uploads. Scanned, unclear files frustrate reviewers. Use high-quality PDFs with clear file names.
Real-world examples & lessons from previous HP cohorts (what worked)
Based on HP’s program descriptions and public cohort announcements, high-performing cohort members shared traits:
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Contextualized curriculum — training adapted to local job markets (e.g., focusing on digital marketing in cities with many SMEs).
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Strong employer engagement — direct pathways for placements and internships.
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Hybrid access models — device lending plus community labs for those without home internet.
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Clear sustainability mechanics — organizations that tied training to fee-based advanced modules or employer sponsorships scaled faster.
(Examples of selected 2025 Nigerian grantees include organizations focused on women in tech and slum education initiatives — these selections underline HP’s interest in inclusivity and varied models.)
Monitoring & Evaluation — simple but powerful approach
A lightweight M&E plan works well for accelerators:
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Baseline survey — quick 10-minute digital skills assessment for all trainees.
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Monthly attendance & progress tracker — spreadsheet or simple LMS data.
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Endline assessment — repeat the digital skills test and measure improvements.
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Placement tracking — capture internships, freelance work, and paid jobs at 3 and 6 months post-training.
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Learning & adaptation log — monthly reflection by staff on what worked and what didn’t.
Tools you can use: Google Forms for surveys, free LMS platforms for course materials, and a simple Excel dashboard for indicators.
Gender, inclusion & accessibility — what reviewers look for
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Gender targets: Set explicit targets for female participation (e.g., 50% female). Explain outreach tactics for girls/women (school partnerships, safe training spaces, female trainers).
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Accessibility: Describe measures for learners with disabilities (assistive tech, accessible content formats).
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Rural vs urban: If you serve rural youth, explain how you’ll handle connectivity (offline content, community access points).
Aligning with global digital inclusion frameworks (e.g., UNESCO’s emphasis on equitable access and skills) strengthens your narrative.
Budgeting nuance — realistic assumptions & unit costs
When you prepare budgets:
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Cost devices conservatively — budget for warranty and peripherals.
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Account for internet subsidy per trainee per month if you expect trainees to do online work.
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Include capacity building costs (trainers, curriculum development, training venue or digital platform fees).
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Overhead matters — include realistic admin and finance time allocations.
Example unit cost calculation: If you plan to train 1,200 youth and budget US$35,000 for devices, consider whether devices are single-use (one device per trainee) or shared (loan scheme). A loan scheme reduces device costs but increases logistics costs.
Post-award tips: turning funding into sustainable change
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Onboard a dedicated program manager — grant success often hinges on day-to-day leadership.
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Set a 90-day implementation plan — rapid early progress keeps momentum.
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Leverage HP technology — plan workshops that showcase new devices to attract local partners.
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Document impact early — collect photos, testimonials, and data to amplify visibility.
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Explore co-funding — use the HP grant as a proof point to attract further support from local corporates or donors.
Sample calendar: first 6 months after award (illustrative)
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Onboard staff, recruit participants, finalize curriculum, logistics, device procurement |
| Month 2 | Begin training cohorts (Module 1: digital basics) |
| Month 3 | Module 2 (career skills); start employer outreach |
| Month 4 | Module 3 (specialized skills); midline assessment |
| Month 5 | Internships/job placements begin; device loan scheme rollout |
| Month 6 | Endline assessment; impact report draft; pitch at final showcase |
Frequently Asked Questions (concise but useful)
Q: Can community groups apply?
A: The program typically requires legal registration. If you are a community group, consider partnering with a registered NGO.
Q: Is US$100,000 guaranteed?
A: No — that is the maximum award per selected organization; actual amounts may vary, and recipients receive both funding and technology support.
Q: How competitive is the program?
A: Highly — major corporate accelerators draw many applicants. A compelling case, clear metrics, and feasibility plan improve chances.
Q: Are consortium applications allowed?
A: HP’s guidance varies by year. If you plan a consortium, clarify lead organization roles and financial flows in your application.
Q: Will HP support localization (languages)?
A: HP’s Accelerator emphasizes local context; include local language plans if your training targets non-English speakers.
Sample application checklist (downloadable quick list)
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Organizational registration documents (CAC or local equivalent)
- Recent program report or case study
- Leadership CVs (1 page each)
- Bank details and financial contact
- One-page Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Project concept note (2 pages)
- Budget (detailed)
- M&E plan (simple indicators)
- Letters of support / employer partnership (optional but helpful)
Closing thought — a practical philosophy for applicants
Donors invest not only in ideas, but in people and systems. When you apply:
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Show you understand the local problem,
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demonstrate you can measure progress, and
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explain how the grant will leave a lasting structure behind.
The HP Digital Equity Accelerator is a catalytic opportunity: with thoughtful preparation, it becomes more than a one-time boost — it becomes the engine for a long-term program that empowers youth in Nigeria and beyond.
Two authoritative resources (quick access)
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HP’s official Digital Equity Accelerator overview and 2025 program details (program description, grant size, countries, and accelerator format).
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UNESCO on digital inclusion (frameworks and global priorities for equitable digital access and literacy).
(The links above are embedded within the guide where relevant.)
Appendix A — Full sample budget (more detailed)
| Category | Details | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Program manager, trainers, admin (6 months) | 30,000 |
| Devices | 50 laptops (loan + peripherals + warranty) | 35,000 |
| Training materials | Curriculum development & printing | 6,000 |
| Connectivity | Internet bundles for trainees (6 months) | 6,000 |
| Trainee support | Transport & small stipends | 6,000 |
| M&E | Baseline & endline surveys, data analyst | 7,000 |
| Partnerships & employer engagement | Workshops, employer incentives | 3,000 |
| Overhead | Office utilities, financial admin | 4,000 |
| Contingency (5%) | 4,000 | |
| Total | 101,000 |
Appendix B — Sample pre/post digital skills test (short)
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Can you create, save, and attach a document? (Yes/No)
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Can you use email to send/receive files? (Yes/No)
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Basic spreadsheet task: create a table and perform a sum. (Score 0–5)
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Awareness of online safety practices (score 0–5)
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Able to search job platforms and apply online? (Yes/No)
Use responses to measure improvement and report learning outcomes.
Final checklist before submission
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Proofread every uploaded document.
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Confirm file names and formats (PDF preferred).
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Have one leader practice a 5-minute elevator pitch.
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Ensure all contact details are current.
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Save submission screenshots and confirmation emails.
Conclusion — a call to action
Digital inclusion transforms lives only when investments meet strong local leadership and measurable delivery. If your organization serves Nigeria’s youth and you have realistic, targeted approaches to digital skills and inclusion, the HP Digital Equity Accelerator 2025 is an opportunity to scale impact, gain technology support, and join a global network working to narrow the digital divide. Apply with clarity, honesty, and measurable ambition — and design the program so that once the grant ends, the value created continues to grow.
“Access without skills is a door half-open. Equip youth with both tools and confidence, and they will walk through and build the future.”
Ready to convert this guide into an actual application? I can:
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Draft your 1-page Statement of Purpose from your program notes,
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Build a detailed budget in Excel, or
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Write the application narrative sections (problem, solution, sustainability, M&E) using your organization’s data.
Tell me which you want and I’ll draft it now.
