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17 February 2026The Concordia Initiative: How One Australian Charity Is Closing the Digital Divide for Vulnerable Communities
Last updated: 25 February 2026
Imagine not being able to video call your family, access telehealth, apply for jobs online, or even check your bank account — not because you don't want to, but because you simply can't afford internet access. For more than 20% of Australians, this isn't a hypothetical scenario. It's daily reality.
While most of us take digital connectivity for granted, millions of Australians remain locked out of the online world due to poverty, geography, or circumstance. But one Australian charity is proving that the solution doesn't have to be complicated or expensive — it just needs to exist.
Meet The Concordia Initiative, a St Kilda-based charity that's doing what billion-dollar telcos and government programs have struggled to achieve: connecting vulnerable Australians to free, reliable high-speed internet.
Impact at a Glance: 350+ Australians Connected
Since launching in April 2024, The Concordia Initiative has connected over 350 vulnerable Australians to free high-speed internet across Victoria and Western Australia. Founded by tech entrepreneur Peter Marchiori with a personal donation of over $500,000, this ACNC-registered charity is proving that small, community-focused organisations can deliver where large telcos have fallen short.
From Tech Entrepreneur to Social Impact Founder
Peter Marchiori didn't set out to start a charity. As a tech entrepreneur with previous ventures in recruitment platforms and mobile technology, he witnessed firsthand how access to digital tools could transform lives — and how the lack of it could trap people in disadvantage.
"Connectivity is care. Digital access is a human right — not a luxury. If a small charity can deliver faster, cheaper and more effective solutions than billion-dollar telcos, imagine what we could achieve if more organisations backed this model."
In April 2024, Marchiori founded The Concordia Initiative with a simple but ambitious mission: to champion digital access as a fundamental right for all Australians. Since launch, he's personally donated more than $500,000 to digital inclusion initiatives — and the results speak for themselves.
Real People, Real Impact: The St Kilda and Ngalingkadji Pilots
The Concordia Initiative isn't about abstract goals or future promises. It's about tangible, immediate impact. Two pilot projects completed in 2024-2025 demonstrate exactly what's possible when you prioritise people over profit.
St Kilda Community Housing: 300 Residents Connected
In Victoria's St Kilda neighbourhood, The Concordia Initiative partnered with St Kilda Community Housing to install free, permanent high-speed Wi-Fi across 20 properties. The result? Over 300 residents who previously had limited or no internet access are now connected to essential services, job opportunities, and support networks.
The financial impact alone is significant. Each household saves hundreds of dollars annually in data costs — money that can be redirected toward food, transport, and healthcare. But the human impact goes deeper.
For many residents, this connectivity has enabled:
- Access to telehealth appointments without expensive travel
- Online job applications and upskilling courses
- Video calls with family and support workers
- Digital banking and government services
- Educational resources for children
Ngalingkadji, WA: First-Time Connectivity for a Remote Community
If the St Kilda project demonstrated what's possible in urban settings, the Ngalingkadji deployment proved the model works anywhere.
Located 55 kilometres south-east of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, Ngalingkadji had never had reliable internet connectivity. The Concordia Initiative changed that by installing high-speed internet in 14 homes, connecting approximately 50 residents for the first time.
Marcel Sithole, Kirrayili and Financial Counselling Services Manager at Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation, described the transformational impact:
"With many of our clients living in remote communities where phone access is limited or unaffordable, the free SIMs have enabled us to reconnect vulnerable individuals with essential services and support. One standout example was being able to assist flood-affected residents in regaining connection after losing belongings post ex-tropical cyclone Ellie, who otherwise had no means of contact."
The Model: Partnership with Maslow Telecom
The Concordia Initiative doesn't work alone. Its partnership with Maslow Telecom, a social enterprise telco, creates a sustainable model that benefits everyone involved.
Maslow Telecom operates on the Telstra Wholesale Network (ensuring reliable coverage) but with a crucial difference: it donates 100% of profits towards digital inclusion programs. This means every customer who chooses Maslow Telecom directly funds The Concordia Initiative's work.
The Concordia SIM Program: 3,000 Free Connections
Beyond the fixed Wi-Fi installations, The Concordia Initiative runs a national SIM program that's distributed over 3,000 free mobile SIMs through 111 partner organisations across Australia.
Partner organisations include:
- The Orange Door Network
- Mission Australia
- The Salvation Army
- Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
- Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation
Each SIM provides 1-12 months of free mobile service with:
- Unlimited calls and texts
- 10GB data monthly
- Access to the Telstra Wholesale Network
Why Digital Inclusion Matters Now More Than Ever
The statistics paint a sobering picture of Australia's digital divide:
- More than 20% of Australians remain digitally excluded
- The rate is significantly higher among First Nations communities
- People experiencing homelessness face near-total digital exclusion
- Public housing residents often choose between internet access and essentials like food
This exclusion creates a vicious cycle. Without internet access, people can't:
- Apply for most jobs (over 90% require online applications)
- Access government services (increasingly digital-first)
- Maintain contact with support workers and family
- Access education and upskilling opportunities
- Manage banking and finances safely
Meanwhile, traditional solutions aren't working. Despite significant government investment and corporate programs, costs remain prohibitive and rollout is painfully slow. As Marchiori points out, The Concordia Initiative proves there's a better way.
The 2030×2030 Project: An Ambitious Vision for Australia's Future
The Concordia Initiative isn't stopping at 350 people. The organisation has announced an ambitious expansion plan dubbed the "2030×2030 Project".
The goal? Connect 2,030 premises across 100 remote Australian communities by 2030.
The project carries an estimated budget of $5 million — approximately $50,000 per community. That's significantly less than comparable federal programs, proving the community-focused model isn't just more effective, it's more cost-efficient.
Australian-Made Devices for Remote Communities
Marchiori is also developing purpose-built, affordable mobile devices designed specifically for remote and vulnerable Australians. The devices will be:
- Assembled in Australia, creating jobs in remote communities
- Engineered to reduce reliance on traditional cellular networks
- Priced affordably for those on low incomes
- Built to withstand harsh remote environments
This isn't just about connectivity — it's about economic development, job creation, and building long-term sustainability in the communities being served.
How You Can Support The Concordia Initiative
The Concordia Initiative operates as an ACNC-registered charity with DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, meaning donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Community organisations can request Services Packs or host Community Pop-ups
- Individuals can donate to support expansion to more communities
- Volunteers can help with distribution and community engagement
- Businesses can partner to scale the 2030×2030 Project
Contact: enquiries@theconcordiainitiative.com.au | +61 3 4231 9999
The Concordia Initiative proves that closing Australia's digital divide doesn't require endless bureaucracy or billion-dollar budgets. It requires vision, commitment, and a genuine understanding of community needs.
By focusing on partnership over profit, community engagement over corporate targets, and real impact over marketing spin, Peter Marchiori and his team have created something rare: a model that actually works.
As Australia becomes increasingly digital-first, ensuring everyone has access isn't just good policy — it's a moral imperative. The Concordia Initiative is showing us the way forward, one connection at a time.
To learn more about The Concordia Initiative or explore other charities working on social welfare and financial disadvantage, visit Helptia's charity directory.
