CFC founding partners, the Organization of the American States (OAS) with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA), and Industry Canada (IC) launched a Call for Pilot Project Proposals in the project's Phase II, and encouraged country members to present a CFS-type initiative for their country.

The Evaluating Committee, constituted by representatives from the founding partners, and the CFC Regional Coordinator for LAC, has approved the following pilot project proposals:

•  El Salvador – Project: “Computers for My School,” presented by Educational Technology and the Technology Infrastructure and Communications Department of the Ministry of Education – http://www.mined.gob.sv/ as a constituent component of its National Education Plan 2021. http://www.mined.gob.sv/gestion_mined/Plan_Nacional_2021/pdf/conectate.pdf Objective: Startup the design and implementation of a computer refurbishing centre to equip public schools across the country with 15,000 computers by 2009.

•  Guatemala – Proposal presented by “Tecnología para Educar” (Technology for Education) a multisectoral alliance headed by the Ministry of Education - http://www.mineduc.gob.gt/ and constituted by entities from the private and public sectors. Fundación Sergio A. Paiz Andrade – FunSEPA - http://www.funsepa.org/ , a non-profit organization that aims to use the latest technologies as a tool for education and for the nation's social and economic development, will be the pilot project's executing organization and will be in charge of the operation and management of the refurbishing centre. Objective: Establish a training program for rural boys and girls through the collection, refurbishing and free distribution of donated computers to public schools across the country. The program will focus on the social inclusion of youth at risk through guided internships in the refurbishing centre.

•  Guyana – Project: “Computers for Schools Guyana,” presented by the Ministry of Education - http://www.sdnp.org.gy/minedu/ . Objective: To establish a computer refurbishing centre to provide computer resources to schools and community centers and improve opportunities for children and disadvantaged communities to participate in a digital economy, contributing to improve the quality of their lives.

•  Jamaica – Project: “Computers for Communities Pilot Project” presented by the Youth Division of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture - http://www.moec.gov.jm/ . Objective: To establish computer refurbishing centres in inner city and rural communities and equip a cadre of youth at risk with: computer refurbishing and repairing skills; training in entrepreneurship; and computer application skills to make them employable.

•  Paraguay – Project: “To the Rescue of Computers” presented by Centre for Technology Innovation (CITEC-FIUNA) - www.citec.ing.una.py and the Foundation for the Development of Engineering of the National University of Asuncion (FUNDAINGE) - www.ing.una.py . Objective: Reduce the digital gap by introducing and applying ICTs in education and the community through the refurbishing and distribution of computers; the training of youth and building teachers ICT skills.

•  Venezuela – Project: “ICTs Serving the Development of Popular Communities” presented by Vía Tecnológica - http://www.viatecnologica.org.ve/ , non-profit organization that aims at facilitating the access and sustainable appropriation of ICTs in impoverished areas of Venezuela . Objective: Develop a computer refurbishing centre for the inhabitants of the Parish of El Valle, Caracas . The centre will give access opportunities and provide capacity building to youth, teachers and community leaders.

Each pilot selected will be provided with seed funds for the amount of US$30,000. These funds are to be invested in aspects of the project's implementation and operation and should be matched with cash or in-kind contributions by the receiving country. Cooperation agreements are being currently drafted. Pilot projects are expected to start implementation by the end of March 2006, and will extend for a period of 12 months. All projects have integrated sustainability strategies that address the continuation of operations beyond the period funded.

The Evaluating Committee pointed out that the process was highly competitive, as twenty seven high quality proposals were received from 17 countries. The Evaluating Committee and founding partners wish to heart fully thank all who invested time and effort in responding to this Call for Proposals.