Hello from somewhere in the EU,
There is currently a call for projects to finance them (donations) which is open until 1 December 2023. This could be of interest to you or even help your friends to finance their work and development.
Project funding available varies from 5,000 to 50,000 euros (with the possibility to scale them up if there is proven potential)
Full summary is here: https://www.apc.org/en/news/open-calls-free-software-hardware-and-data-activ... A consortium of 12 non-profit organisations is involved in managing the NGI zero programme. https://nlnet.nl/entrust/background/#organisation
2 Tracks:
+ NGI Zero Entrust: Trustworthiness and data sovereignty https://nlnet.nl/entrust/guideforapplicants/
+ NGI Zero Core: Moving the internet forward https://nlnet.nl/core/guideforapplicants
You don't need to reveal your real name prior to the project being granted. Also, young people that have not yet reached the age of legal consent in their country of origin on the date of the deadline can also apply without any constraints.
If you are based outside the European Union and still have doubts, please write to hvale@apc.org
As well as funding from donations, there is specific support (technical, safety, accessibility, licensing, etc.) for the projects selected.
Also, if you'd like to talk about it with me, I'd be delighted ;-)
Warm regards,