The ST Foundation, the nonprofit corporate foundation of STMicroelectronics, was created in 2001 to address the global digital divide. Its core mission is to promote digital inclusion worldwide by empowering people with essential digital skills, especially among underserved, and vulnerable communities. The focus isn’t just on access to technology, but on the ability to use it meaningfully for education, employment, and autonomy. Today, 2.2 billion people globally still lack basic digital access and skills. In India alone, over 400 million people remain excluded from education, employment, and essential services due to the digital divide*. ST Foundation exists to turn this access gap into real opportunities through education.
Digital Unify: the Foundation’s Global Education Program
The Digital Unify (DU), is the global education initiative designed to reduce the digital divide through structured digital skills training. It is implemented through partnerships with local governments, NGOs, schools, and ST volunteers, ensuring local ownership and long-term sustainability. Three key elements: strong local partnerships, the train-the-trainers approach, and open sharing of knowledge approach.
Programs cover multiple learning levels and target groups, including:
– Introduction to Computer Basics (ICB) – foundational digital literacy.
– Basic coding – to build logical thinking and digital creativity.
– Advanced digital skills – supporting employability and further learning.
– Tablet for Seniors – promoting autonomy and social inclusion.
– Tablet for Kids – responsible and educational use of digital tools from an early age.
– Courses for visually impaired people – ensuring accessibility and inclusion.
The Foundation operates an operational, not fundraising model: resources are focused on concrete delivery, capacity building and local empowerment, with people—teachers, partners, and ST volunteers—at the core.
Global and Asian footprint
Since becoming operational in 2003, the Foundation has reached over 1.3 million beneficiaries in more than 30 countries, trained over 150,000 individuals in 2025 alone. In Asia, the Foundation has 96 Digital Unify Labs, serving about 26,000 beneficiaries per year at a cost <10$ per student trained, thanks to the work of 88 active ST volunteers engaged in teaching, training trainers, updating and translating materials, and expanding reach. Volunteering also reinforces employee engagement within STMicroelectronics, as employees feel they are directly contributing to a more inclusive digital future.
ST Foundation in India
Digital Unify in India began in 2003–2004 and the ST Foundation India entity was formally registered as a Section 8 nonprofit in March 2018. With More than 180,000 trainees reached to date (19,000+ in the last year alone), and over 56 Digital Unify Labs across the country, we cooperate with 18 NGO partners in 11 states. It is supported by STMicroelectronics through a dedicated budget, equipment donations and employee volunteering (24 volunteers currently engaged).
Growth has been steady—from 1 to 56 labs in 20 years—through a community-based, partnership-driven model. All NGO partners are chosen following due diligence and formalized through MoUs, ensuring relevance, reach, and long-term sustainability.
Illustrative Initiatives in India
Tablet for Kids on Wheel (T4K on Wheel)
In partnership with Navjyoti India Foundation, this initiative brings digital learning directly to marginalized communities in Delhi, especially children aged 9–13 living in slum areas. Since 2022, 2,500+ children who often had no prior exposure to digital devices have learned to use tablets for education, with the aim to expand further into remote areas.
Introduction to Computer Basics for Incarcerated People (ICB)
With India Vision Foundation, we are supporting digital literacy as part of rehabilitation and reintegration efforts in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Over the past three years, more than 3,300 incarcerated individuals in locations such as Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Moradabad, Faridabad, Bareilly, and Central Jail Rohini (Delhi) have gained basic computer skills, learned to use the internet and essential software, and received guidance on digital safety.
Introduction to Computer Basics for Visually Impaired (ICB4VI)
This course is specifically designed to bridge the digital divide for visually impaired learners. It is implemented via a train-the-trainer model: 15 trainers have been prepared to scale the program. A recent pilot batch trained 17 visually impaired girls, who showed strong improvements in confidence and digital skills. Next steps include scaling across India.
Recognition
ST Foundation India’s Digital Unify Program was awarded “CSR Project of the Year” at the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI) CSR Conclave & Awards (7th edition, 2025). The event gathers business leaders, CSR and sustainability heads, policymakers and nonprofits to highlight impactful CSR initiatives in India.
For more information, visit https://www.stfoundation.org/
