Prototype Fund
The
The Prototype Fund – Funding Public Interest Tech
editThe Prototype Fund is a funding program operated by the Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland (OKF) and supported by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF). The goal is to promote open-source software with social added value in order to strengthen digital well-being and social innovation.
Mission and Values
editThe Prototype Fund focuses on promoting Public Interest Technologies in order to put user needs first. It values that the funded projects are user-friendly, secure and freely available as open-source software. The low-threshold funding is intended to enable individuals and small teams to implement their ideas and strengthen the digital civil society.
Funding Priorities
editThe Prototype Fund focuses on the areas of Civic Tech, Data Literacy, Data Security and Software Infrastructure. These priorities are crucial for strengthening the social potential of technology.
Sustainability Goals and Initiatives
editThe Prototype Fund aims to create sustainable technical and communicative infrastructures that protect civil and freedom rights. Through the use of open-source licenses, the community is enabled to further develop and improve the funded projects. In the long term, this promotes a plural and open technology development that is not solely focused on economic interests.
Support Services
editIn addition to financial support, the Prototype Fund also offers coaching and networking opportunities. These supportive measures help the grantees to successfully implement their projects and network with others in the community.
Impact and Broad Effect
editThrough cooperation with networks such as the Civic Innovation Platform, the Prototype Fund creates synergy effects that increase public awareness and use of Public Interest Technologies. With national and international partners, it is committed to standardized and sustainable funding structures that recognize and promote digital voluntary work.