Digitally empowering marginalised groups our focus – Dandjinou, ICANN VP – thesun.ng

•Dandjinou
By Chinenye Anuforo

 
The internet is a boundless digital realm, yet many communities and organisations in Nigeria struggle to secure their place on this global stage.
To address this lingering challenge, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has introduced the Applicant Support Programme (ASP), a visionary initiative aimed at empowering under-resourced groups and closing the digital divide.
In this exclusive interview, Pierre Dandjinou, VP, Stakeholder Engagement at ICANN, sheds light on the ASP and how it will create a more inclusive online environment.
How will ASP help create a level playing field for those seeking a digital presence?
The ASP is intended to make the New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Programme application and evaluation processes and fees more accessible to entities that would like to operate a registry but would otherwise be unable to apply, because of financial and other resource constraints.
The ASP provides a range of financial and non-financial assistance for qualified applicants including access to volunteer professional services, training, and other resources, and reductions in base gTLD application and evaluation fees.
How will it benefit indigenous communities and social enterprises?
The ASP provides financial assistance in the form of reduced fees and access to valuable resources like training and volunteer professional services. This support system is specifically designed to empower eligible entities like indigenous communities and social impact businesses to establish their own gTLDs, fostering a more diverse online space. In essence, the ASP provides a reduction in the new gTLD evaluation fee as well as non-financial resources for qualified, eligible entities.
How does the ASP contribute to ICANN’s inclusivity goal?
The ASP Is intended to make the New gTLD Program attainable to applicants that want to apply for a new gTLD but are unable to do so because of financial constraints and lack of other resources. It also helps diversify the gTLD landscape by providing support to eligible entities that include nonprofits, nongovernmental, and charitable organizations; intergovernmental organizations; indigenous and tribal peoples’ organizations; and small businesses that operate as social enterprises or which operate in a less-developed economy.
How does the ASP empower those using non-Latin scripts or facing financial limitations?
Nonprofits, nongovernmental, and charitable organizations; intergovernmental organizations; indigenous and tribal peoples’ organizations; and small businesses that operate as social enterprises or which operate in a less-developed economy are eligible for support provided by the ASP. This can include entities that wish to apply to operate an Internationalized Domain Name (IDN), which is a TLD that contains characters other than ASCII letters. Because IDNs support the use of Unicode characters, they can include characters from local languages and scripts.
When can organisations apply for the ASP and what are the eligibility criteria?
Based on the current criteria, eligible ASP applicants must meet financial need and financial viability criteria, and fall into at least one of the following entity categories: Nonprofits, charities, or equivalent. Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), Indigenous/tribal people’s organizations, Social impact or public benefit micro- or small-sized businesses and Micro- or small-sized businesses from a less-developed economy.
Supported applicants will receive access to pro bono service providers, training, and other resources, and also a reduction in gTLD evaluation fees (between 75-85%). The deadline for submitting ASP applications is November 19, 2025, which is about five months prior to the opening of the New gTLD Program application submission period.
Any advice for potential applicants? Where can they find more information?
ASP applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early for the following reasons: ICANN has budgeted support for up to 40 applicants at an 85% fee reduction. Should demand exceed this amount, the fee reduction can be reduced to 75% to cover up to 45 supported applicants. However, it is important to recognize program resource limitations.
Because ASP evaluations are conducted on an ongoing basis, the first applicants to apply and qualify for support will be able to take advantage of the resources available. Those that apply after the available resources have been expended may have to wait until future cycles of the program.
Can you clarify the difference between a gTLD and a domain name?
Top-level domains (TLDs) are the names at the top of the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. They appear in domain names as the string of letters following the last dot. For example, in the domain name icann.org, the characters “org” identify the TLD.
While individuals and organizations can register a domain name, the process of applying for a gTLD is much more complex. In fact, when you apply for a top-level domain, you are applying to operate an Internet registry (a Registry Operator or RO) that supports the DNS.
What are the potential benefits and considerations for applying for a new gTLD?
gTLDs are unique digital assets that can be used in meaningful ways to help achieve long-term goals. Whether building a brand for a company, spotlighting a geographic region or city on the world stage, reflecting a societal issue, reaching out to new customers via an Internationalised Domain Name, or launching a business to offer domain names under a new registry, a new gTLD can be an innovative tool for commerce and communication.
How does ICANN ensure the security and stability of the entire gTLD ecosystem?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages the DNS for the world’s benefit. Its mission is to ensure the stability, security, and resilience of the DNS so that the Internet continues to be singular and globally interoperable. ICANN accomplishes this by coordinating the unique identifier systems – including domain names and IP addresses – around the world

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