Sony Korea Partners with ChildFund Korea and Tide Institute to Launch 2026 MESH Education Support Initiative for Underserved Children

Sony Korea has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation and the TIDE Institute to provide advanced IT education opportunities for underprivileged children in South Korea through the ‘2026 Mesh Education Support Project’.

The initiative leverages Sony’s intuitive ‘Mesh’ block, an Internet of Things (IoT) DIY kit designed to enable children to build their own IoT devices without requiring complex coding or programming knowledge. This approach aims to democratize access to cutting-edge technology and foster creativity among young learners.

The program is structured as a project-oriented educational experience, combining hands-on technology training with mentorship to broaden children’s thinking and make learning about advanced technology engaging and accessible.

Sony Korea has been running similar IT education programs for underprivileged children since 2018 under the name ‘Meshmallow Workshop’, utilizing the Mesh block to teach digital IoT device creation in regions such as Seoul and Busan.

Under the agreement, Sony Korea will oversee project management and sponsorship, the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation will handle partner organization recruitment and coordination, and the TIDE Institute will be responsible for delivering the educational programs.

The Mesh block was developed through Sony’s Seed Acceleration Program and allows users to create wirelessly connected IoT devices simply by connecting the blocks, eliminating the need for specialized programming skills.

This collaboration builds on Sony Korea’s ongoing commitment to reducing educational inequality by providing quality IT training to children in underserved communities, preparing them with essential skills for future societal participation.