There’s a new online video platform dedicated to connecting the community.

Comcast Corporation, in partnership with the city of Philadelphia, launched Philly In Focus, an online and video-on-demand initiative dedicated to showcasing the stories of Philadelphia’s residents, businesses and organizations.

“Philly In Focus is “on-demand” and online one-stop portal for videos and interactive media made by Philadelphians, for Philadelphians about Philadelphians,” Mayor Michael Nutter said during a press conference, held at PhillyCAM (Community Access Media) Studio, 699 Ranstead Street.

“This innovative tool will allow individuals, community groups, public access users, educational community members and institutions, nonprofits and government officials and the city to become content partners to post videos and information out to the larger public.”

“Philly In Focus is another opportunity to take the roof off of City Hall and allow Philadelphians to see what’s really going on in our city administration. It will also provide content especially for Philly in Focus to further the image of Philadelphia. This really is a 21st-century medium for a 21st-century city,” said Nutter.

The initiative is a part of Comcast’s Project Open Voice, a national pilot program designed to broaden the reach of local programming, including public, educational and governmental media. Philadelphia joins five other markets across the nation to be a part of this project, including Fresno, Calif.; Houston, Texas; Hialeah, Fla.; Peterborough, N.H.; and Medford, Mass. Project Open Voice arose from a voluntary commitment Comcast made to the Federal Communications Commission as part of its transaction with NBC Universal.

“Comcast selected our hometown to be one of only six participants in Project Open Voice — a program designed to improve the reach, quality and diversity of local and hyper-local media,” said Sharon Powell-Lee, director of government and regulatory affairs for Comcast.

“We’re excited to be a part of an effort where technology can be put to use to connect communities and increase opportunities for people here in Philadelphia.”

For Philadelphia-based Women’s Campaign International, the new Web portal enables the nonprofit organization to share stories about their global ambassadors — local women who are involved in leadership and global citizen engagement. WCI advances opportunities for women to participate in public advocacy, market and political processes around the world.

“We look around and we tell the stories of women who are really effecting change, who are changing policies, who are affecting their communities,” said WCI Executive Director Kerri Kennedy. “Philly In Focus has given us the opportunity to highlight the rich stories of Women’s Campaign International.”

The initiative is open to groups, organizations or programs that showcase the people, organizations, communities and events that highlight Philadelphia as a place to reside, work and play.

Comcast has committed to supporting Philly In Focus for at least three years. During that time, the company will work closely with its partners in Philadelphia to determine the best plan for the community after the pilot.

The portal can be accessed via www.phillyinfocus.com.