Project cycle

From pick-up to recycling

Close the Gap wants to provide a comprehensive and sustainable approach from the pick-up of the equipment at the donor company to the refurbishment, project selection, local installation of the computers, and on-site training. Through its partner WorldLoop, Close the Gap also “closes the loop” by providing local recycling facilities once the IT equipment reaches the end of its life. Please find below a description of our operational model.

1. Collection at donor company

Close the Gap collects high-quality used IT equipment from companies and organizations. The equipment is collected in a professional way and at no cost to the donor. 

2. Refurbishment of ICT equipment

Once the equipment is collected, Close the Gap works with professional refurbishment partners to start the refurbishing process. They arrange for the hard disks to be cleaned and the hardware to be checked and configured.

3. Project selection

Close the Gap evaluates and selects projects that focus on both the individual and his or her community. The projects selected cover various fields, such as education, health, environment, microfinance, research, socio-cultural, and good governance. Close the Gap supports projects in developing and emerging countries all around the world.

4. Transport equipment to the project

The computers are shipped to the projects by air or sea transport.

5. Installation, maintenance, and training

Close the Gap works through local service partners in several countries. The service partners work as intermediaries between Close the Gap and the beneficiary organizations. They know and understand the local culture and challenges, have local project management expertise, and ensure the sustainability of the projects. They are responsible for the preparation of the local infrastructure, distribution, and transport of computers to the beneficiaries, installation and maintenance of ICT equipment, and training project managers, teachers, and users.

6. Software & expertise

Projects can call upon Close the Gap’s supporting partners for expertise in the following fields:  specific software, special hardware, capacity building, funding expertise, and infrastructure.

7. Follow-up and evaluation

Close the Gap evaluates the quality of its products and services in order to improve future collaborations by means of a yearly survey of its project partners.

8. Pick-up and recycling of end-of-life equipment

Whether reconditioned or not, ICT equipment can pose a serious environmental threat when it reaches its end-of-life. That’s why Close the Gap, through its partner WorldLoop, makes sure that the computers are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way when they are no longer useful.