ConnectED Mexico with Unconnected.org

Status: Closed

Country: Mexico

Partner: unconnected.org

Impact goal: 9000 people

About the project

The connectED project in Mexico represents unconnected.org's latest effort to bridge the digital divide by expanding into a new country. This initiative focuses on connecting educational facilities and their surrounding communities with reliable internet access, fostering education, digital inclusion, and economic growth.

Results

The original aim of this project was to connect 15 rural schools in Chiapas, Mexico, with sustainable high-speed internet access while building a long-term revenue model to ensure continued connectivity beyond the funding period. The project also sought to increase digital inclusion by enabling schools to access educational content online and extend affordable internet to surrounding communities.

The project successfully achieved, and in several areas exceeded its initial goals. All 15 schools were connected to reliable Starlink internet, providing consistent access to digital learning resources. Each school established a sustainable revenue model by reselling spare bandwidth to nearby communities through a partnered local internet service provider. This model ensures that connectivity costs can be covered independently, keeping the schools online after the project period. Average monthly data usage now reaches around two terabytes per school, a strong indicator of adoption and daily reliance on digital tools.

Through a partnership with a local computer company, each school also received donated computers, further supporting digital literacy and regular use of technology in classrooms. Teachers and students are now actively using the internet to access the Ministry of Education’s digital curriculum, supporting lessons in science, mathematics, history, research, and project work. Importantly, all participating schools have continued paying for internet access after funding ended, confirming the project’s long-term sustainability. The success of this initiative has also drawn attention from new partners, including UNICEF and government agencies, opening opportunities for expansion into two additional states in 2025.

Overall, the project directly benefited around 704 students and 60 teachers across the 15 schools, giving them consistent access to online educational resources and digital training opportunities. Beyond the schools, an estimated 8,000 community members have gained access to affordable internet through the school-led community resale model, while approximately 1,800 parents have indirectly benefited through improved access to communication tools, online services, and educational support for their children.

During implementation, two main changes were introduced. First, a Fair Usage Policy was developed to manage high community demand. Initially, free WiFi access around school areas led to heavy usage that slowed down the connection for students. To resolve this, schools introduced unlimited access for students and teachers through secure logins, while limiting public usage hours. Second, the donation of digital equipment, an addition not included in the original plan, significantly enhanced learning outcomes and the overall success of the project.

The project also encountered several challenges that provided important lessons for future work. Some communities were initially hesitant to participate due to past negative experiences with short-lived internet initiatives. To build trust, the project team worked closely with school leaders and community members to demonstrate transparency and long-term commitment. In some locations, high public demand for free WiFi again strained school networks, leading to adjustments in access management. Teachers and students with limited digital experience initially struggled to use computers and online platforms, so the team introduced basic digital literacy training to help them get started. There was also some initial resistance to online English classes, which improved after gradual introduction and teacher-led support.

Despite these challenges, the project achieved its intended impact and demonstrated the potential of sustainable, community-supported digital connectivity models. The lessons learned will guide future expansion and ensure even greater efficiency and inclusion as the project scales.

About the partner

Unconnected.org is a nonprofit organization committed to bridging the digital divide by providing connectivity solutions to underserved communities worldwide. They focus on engaging local communities to foster long-term sustainable projects, empowering individuals and promoting economic growth. Their initiatives target students, women, refugees, and underserved areas, aiming to enhance opportunities and foster digital inclusion. With a focus on sustainability, their projects are designed to require minimal ongoing funding while continuously expanding access to connectivity and fostering local economies.

Visit their website here to learn more about them.