Digital technologies are increasingly being used to address global challenges in creative and innovative ways. This case explores how UNICEF combined blockchain technology, digital art, and fundraising to support one of the world's biggest education challenges – connecting schools to the internet. 

The challenge 
Around the world, millions of children still lack reliable internet access. This limits access to education, digital skills, and opportunities to participate in an increasingly online society. This gap is often called the digital divide.  

The solution  
To mark its 75th anniversary, UNICEF launched Patchwork Kingdoms, a collection of 1,000 NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The artworks were generated using real-world data about school connectivity collected through the Giga initiative, a partnership between UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). 

Giga’s mission is to connect every school in the world to the internet by 2030. It maps school connectivity globally, supports governments in planning infrastructure, and helps design financing models to expand access. So far, Giga has mapped over 1 million schools, supported the connection of more than 3,000 schools, and helped mobilize over $200 million for school connectivity projects. 

The NFTs were sold in an online auction. Each piece represented a data-driven snapshot of global connectivity challenges rather than a single school or location. 

The impact 
The campaign raised more than US$700,000, which went to supporting Giga’s work to map schools and help connect them to the internet. Beyond fundraising, the project also helped draw attention to the scale of the digital divide in a format that reached audiences outside traditional development circles. 

Why it matters for you 
This case shows that international organizations are exploring new digital tools and formats to raise awareness and resources for global issues. It also raises an important question for you as a future participant in civic life: how can emerging technologies be used responsibly to support public goals like education and inclusion? 

Learn more about this initiative on the website:  https://www.patchwork-kingdoms.com

💡 As you continue through this section, think about how the examples you will explore build on this idea. What role can digital technologies play in supporting communities, strengthening civic participation, and creating meaningful social impact?