YouBridge is a non-profit organization that aims to bridge the digital divide by connecting donors of new laptops with recipients in developing countries. Donors and recipients are then able to form online relationships and share information through the YouBridge digital platform. YouBridge plans to initially send 50 laptops to a university in Uganda in December 2009, and then expand to sending 500 laptops over a 6 month pilot period starting in January 2010. The goal is to create a worldwide network of over 150,000 members within 5 years that enables peer-to-peer learning across borders.

1. YouBridge Connect, share, bridge the gap

2. “ Poor people were not born to be poor. To me they are like bonsai trees. When you plant the best seed of the tallest tree in a flower pot, you get a replica of the tallest tree only inches tall. There is nothing wrong with the seed you planted. Only the soil base that is given to it is inadequate. Poor people are Bonsai people. There is nothing wrong in their seeds. Simply, society never gave them the base to grow on ” Mohammad Yunus – Grameen Bank

3. Mission Statement YouBridge wants to bridge the information gap by creating a platform that allows people to send a new laptop to less developed countries and that allows them to interact on this digital platform . People will become connected to each other and form a multinational social network.

4. What? 11/15/2009 YouBridge is the ‘next level’ NGO project , aiming at youngsters by using popular social network sites. YouBridge allows you to donate a new laptop and get in touch with the person at the receiving end. ‘ Next level’, because it is not only about a donation, but about a relationship being build. A relationship where learning & sharing are crucial. All relationships together built a social network , supporting the growing middle class in the less developed countries. By enabling this communication, YouBridge contributes in a unique way to the process of bridging the digital divide .

5. What? In 3 steps … Connect – You buy one new laptop for one person on the other side of the world and log on. Share – You become online friends, and you engage in sharing info & learning's. Bridge the gap – You reduce the information gap, person per person, and as a community you help bridging the digital divide. 11/15/2009

6. What? In 3 steps … Connect – YouBridge opts for a qualitative netbook computer, with all necessary tools: Windows, WiFi, Webcam, . Donation not only via one-time payment, but also via continuous monthly support. Price: 200 €. 2. Share – the YouBridge website will support the search for a matching receiver, payment, and several communication tools. In the future, modules for online learning, virtual class rooms and uploading of new learning applications will be available. 3. Bridge the gap – the YouBridge website will result in a social community for socially engaged people, helping each other in order to bridge the gap. 11/15/2009

7. How? 11/15/2009 Setting up an ambitious and global project requires support from different partners : Close The Gap is respected and known for their role in organizing the refurbishment and distribution of used PC’s, worldwide. Their operational expertise will ensure a successful handling of the back office for YouBridge. The ‘World-PC’ project , in full development, will group similar organizations worldwide to become the key player in bridging the digital gap (i.e. sending computers/laptops). YouBridge will play an active role in this organization. Plan International : joint collaborations are discussed, especially since there are quite some overlapping interests. LUON : partner for the creation of the website.

8. How? 11/15/2009 Next to this partnerships, following points will allow YouBridge to be successful: Board of Directors : By including well-respected Directors on the YouBridge Board, the necessary visibility, experience and network will boost the growth. Different director backgrounds – business, education, politics, ngo, media – assure this leverage. Funding : Set Up: The initial set-up requires a budget that is currently being put together. Through a close follow-up of the project, fund members can be actively involved in the YouBridge development. Ongoing: From the moment the website is up and running, the donators will pay for the laptop, logistics & overhead. Total price is estimated at 200€.

9. When? 11/15/2009 Test project: 50 laptops will be send to the International Health Science University Uganda (IHSU) December 2009 Pilot Project: Get 500 laptops sent via YouBridge in 6 months time January 2010 – June 2010. Launch YouBridge: Offer people a YouBridge platform offering sharing & learning tools . This platform is open sourced, and allows people to take the interaction to a next level by peer-to-peer sharing & learning initiatives (virtual class rooms, learning software). July 2010. Goal: To create a worldwide network with at least 150.000 members in 5 years.

10. Who? 11/15/2009 Since YouBridge is a peer-to-peer charity platform, YouBridge focuses on youngsters (16-30) as donors, as well as receivers . The donors are socially engaged youngsters , that are active on several social network sites . They like to be perceived as socially engaged people. The receivers are in a first stage students at colleges and universities, where the laptop will be shared in this community. All information about the possible receivers will be available on the website so the one-to-one relation with the people donating is assured.

11. Contact (from end Aug) 11/15/2009 YouBridge vzw www.youbridge.org [email_address] Jonas De Cooman: jonas.decooman@youbridge.org Pieter Dewinter: pieter.dewinter@youbridge.org Barbara Van Speybroeck: barbara.vanspeybroeck@youbridge.org