The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has recently announced its latest round of Bitcoin Development Fund grants, with a focus on projects around the world that promote global education, Lightning Network development, decentralized communications, and financial freedom tools for nonprofits and human rights groups. The grants, totaling an undisclosed amount, are being distributed across various projects in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
One of the recipients of the grants is Calle, which is developing a USD-based Chaumian e-cash system called E-Cash for Bitcoin. This system aims to provide a private, affordable, and stable way to use USD-denominated credits within the broader Bitcoin Lightning network, without any connection to the traditional banking system. Activists will be able to exchange their bitcoin for privacy-protecting dollar-denominated E-Cash, albeit in a custodial manner.
Another project receiving funding is BTCPay Server, a free open-source self-hosted payment solution that enables individuals and businesses to accept Bitcoin payments. The funding will support UI/UX improvements, feature enhancements, contributor rewards, and training programs, providing opportunities for merchants in challenging political and economic climates to process global payments.
The Builders Residency Program, based in Thailand, will focus on developing tools to reinforce Bitcoin’s decentralization and combat centralizing forces in the software ecosystem. The program, supported by HRF, will cover living and travel expenses for developers working on this initiative.
Yibaochina.com, a popular news platform led by Citizen Power Initiatives for China, will receive funding to support the wages of writers, editors, and translators as they translate Bitcoin educational materials and news items into Chinese. The platform aims to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law within the global Chinese-speaking community.
The Bitcoin Innovation Hub in Kampala, Uganda, led by Noble Nyangoma, will use the funding to provide vocational training and financial literacy to refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable communities. The hub offers classes in digital skills, carpentry, and baking, enabling stateless communities to earn Bitcoin for their work.
BITCOIN DADA, a non-profit initiative founded by Kenyan entrepreneur Lorraine Marcel, aims to empower African women through financial education. The funding will support the expansion of the initiative across Africa, the creation of multilingual educational resources, and the promotion of women-led businesses adopting Bitcoin.
These grants, generously supported by Strike’s nonprofit initiative and the Bitcoin Design Foundation, aim to provide resources and support to projects that promote financial freedom, education, and empowerment through Bitcoin technology.