August 14, 2024
GEO Nova Scotia, a nonprofit organization founded in 2022, has quickly become a crucial player in addressing digital inclusion throughout the province. The organization was born out of a pressing need for online connectivity during the pandemic, and since its inception, it has been dedicated to ensuring all Nova Scotians have the resources needed to access the internet.
Matt Spurway, the organization’s Executive Director, described how a provincially funded initiative called Between the Bridges inspired the creation of GEO Nova Scotia. This initiative was meant to bring the community together with different sectors, including the private and public sectors, and community nonprofit organizations, to address complex social issues through a collective impact model.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, it changed the way organizations like Between the Bridges operated. The lockdowns and restrictions highlighted the digital divide, as many residents lacked the necessary tools to stay connected.
“Most of the residents that we worked with…they didn’t have the home computer, they didn’t have the home internet access,” Spurway recalled. Recognizing the severity of the situation, GEO Nova Scotia was launched to tackle this issue head-on.
The initiative started small, with Spurway and his team using available resources to purchase secondhand computers and arrange internet access for those in need. “We literally just took a bit of money and went out and bought a few secondhand computers and called the local internet reseller and asked ‘If we pay for their internet accounts, would you hook them up?’ They said, ‘Sure.’ So that’s what we did,” he said. This grassroots approach quickly grew as more community organizations joined the effort.
The project, aptly named GEO—standing for “Getting Everyone Online”—has since expanded its reach. What began as a “local community initiative” has evolved into a province-wide movement, connecting hundreds of households across Nova Scotia.
Spurway emphasized the importance of digital inclusion, particularly in the context of the pandemic. “Everything important was online, right? And since then, more and more things have moved online, to what we call digital by default, where the assumption is that everyone can access all these services,” he noted.
However, the reality is that many Nova Scotians still face significant barriers to digital access, particularly due to affordability.
Spurway highlighted that, at the time of GEO Nova Scotia’s launch, about 20,000 households across the province lacked internet access primarily because of cost. “It’s not that they can’t access it because of where they are, but it’s the price tag alone,” he said. The organization has been working tirelessly to close this financial gap, ensuring that digital access is not a privilege reserved for the few but a right available to all.
The challenges GEO Nova Scotia addresses are not just about connecting people to the internet but also about enabling them to participate fully in society.
“As the need for Internet increases, it’s gone from a nice-to-have to a need-to-have, to a real can’t get by without it,” Spurway stressed.
Looking forward, GEO Nova Scotia is committed to continuing its work and expanding its reach. The organization is currently analyzing recent data from Statistics Canada to better understand the ongoing needs of the community and to strategize its efforts accordingly. Spurway and his team remain focused on their mission to ensure that every Nova Scotian can enjoy the benefits of the digital world, regardless of their economic situation.
GEO Nova Scotia’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the organization is now seen as a key player in bridging the digital divide in the province. Through their dedication and innovative approach, they are making a real difference in the lives of many Nova Scotians.
Listen to the full conversation now: All Hands on Tech