Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) is a Canadian-based international organization that connects people and technology globally.  We provide the world's communities with the tools and resources needed to promote locally driven social and economic development through the use of information and communications technologies (ICT). Our programs enable youth, women and communities around the world to learn about technology by helping people to relate that to every day life.

DOT starts by teaching people of all backgrounds about ICT through customized training programs. Then learners link the programs to practice by designing projects that apply their knowledge in ways that make technology work for them. DOT backs it all up by facilitating access to local and global opportunity – connecting people with their world.

DOT is a virtual but very real network of global and national partnerships. The organization was created in 2002 with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), USAID and the Cisco Systems Foundation.  Since our launch, our flagship program has become operational in ten countries.  DOT’s approach is to work with national partners in acting on their priorities for ICT and development. Together we build local capacities to deliver training, stimulate business opportunities and connect people to new livelihoods.
 

Over the past eight years DOT has:

• Trained more than 1,200 young ICT leaders as DOT Interns
• Impacted over 145,000 beneficiaries across the globe through providing micro-entrepreneurial development, basic ICT education and life skills
• Developed a low cost model with quick return on social investment that is now being deployed in countries throughout the Middle East, Africa, North America, Southern Europe, the South Caucasus and Asia
  
• Achieved a high impact ‘multiplier’ effect in building IT capacity that translates into jobs and employment opportunities for thousands of people around the world
• Earned recognition as international best practice model