Next week, the US Government will launch Global Pulse 2010, an unprecedented, online brainstorming event focused on global sustainability and development. This forum will give participants a chance to engage with thousands of people from around the world on 10 major challenges facing the global community. The discussion topics will focus on issues related to Global Development, Democracy and Sustainability.

A panel discussing the "challenges for Challenges" as Marnie Webb explains, with Will Schmidt of Global Development Commons and more.

Mark Summer from Inveneo

USAID Administrator and Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance Henrietta H. Fore named RapidSMS Child Malnutrition Surveillance the winner of the Agency’s first Development 2.0 Challenge. The project, which will receive a $10,000 grant, is a startup from six graduate students at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Kirsten Bokenkamp represented the group at an awards ceremony held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., while three of her teammates were in Malawi building the project.

Congratulations to the top three finalists in the USAID Development 2.0 Challenge! There were 115 projects submitted, and the community narrowed the list down to just 15 in December. The USAID judging panel has reviewed the featured projects and announced the top 3!

USAID Challenge Finalists:

It's that time of year again, when we try to take a bit of a break from work, spend time at home or out travelling with friends, family, and our communities.  It's the time of year when we celebrate each other and share our thanks for all that we have.  In the case of the NetSquared Community, we get to say thanks for all that we have made together, created, shared, and built. 

Thank you for your participation, engagement, ideas, and passion—you are what makes the NetSquared Community so dynamic!

UPDATE: After additional eligibility verification per the Rules and Guidelines previously published at the outset of the USAID Challenge, the final Top 15 Projects have been determined.

All winning projects will receive notification directly from NetSquared about specific next steps. Thank you for your patience and ongoing support in this process.  

The NetSquared Team

It's true: Today, Friday, is the last day to cast your vote for up to 5 favorite USAID project submissions.  Get out the vote, now!

The Word on the Street...

Since October, ideas about mobile technologies for good have been exciting the NetSquared community.  Today, and only for this week, you get to select the top 15 projects to move on in the USAID Development 2.0 Challenge!

You don't have to be part of a project team or even be a mobile tech expert to participate.  Go Vote! 

Submissions are still coming in to the USAID Project Gallery, and the deadline to submit is this Friday, December 5, so get your idea in now!

Monday morning, voting begins and you'll be able to help pick the top 15 projects to move on in the USAID Development 2.0 Challenge.

This is your last week to submit ideas to the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge.