Strengthening data infrastructure to close the digital gap in Argentina Project

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The development objective of the Strengthening Data Infrastructure to Close the Digital Gap in Argentina Project for Argentina is to strengthen the data infrastructure foundations, to increase digital resilience, to foster digital uptake in Argentina; and to respond effectively in case of an eligible crisis or emergency. The project comprises of five components. The first component, inclusive broadband connectivity will finance broadband infrastructure to reach unconnected localities which currently lack digital infrastructure and remain unserved by the private sector. It consists of following sub-components: (i) broadband connectivity infrastructure; and (ii) technical assistance. The second component, resilient data infrastructure will finance a decentralized network of data centers and a high-performance computing (HPC) platform to strengthen the country’s data infrastructure efficiency and resiliency, including to climate change impacts. It consists of following sub-components: (i) data centers; (ii) HPC platform; and (iii) technical assistance. The third component, digital skills aim to strengthen digital skills to better equip individuals and businesses across Argentina for the jobs and economy of the future and to adapt to online activities. It consists of following sub-components: (i) digital skills development; (ii) coordination and articulation of digital skills ecosystem; and (iii) digital skills trainings implementation support. The fourth component, project management and evaluation support project management and institutional capacity building for implementation and sustainability, leveraging the government’s existing resources and institutional structures. The fifth component, contingent emergency response component (CERC) is a contingent financing mechanism available to Argentina to have immediate access to Bank financing to respond to an eligible crisis or emergency, defined as an event that has caused, or is likely to imminently cause, a major adverse economic and or social impact associated with natural or man-made crises or disasters.