GIG WEEK 2026 | May 14–25, 2026
Towards Community Resilience
This year, GIG Week celebrates open innovation and global collaboration towards community resilience. Experience a rich program featuring two vibrant GIG community days that bring members together for inspiration and learning, alongside partner events like re:publica and the Open Hardware Summit.
GIG Week Highlights
May 14:
| Arrival Day |
| Welcome to Berlin! Check in, settle into the city, and meet fellow GIG members. |
May 15–16:
| GIG Weekend For GIG members, invited friends & partners only |
| A time to connect deeply with the GIG community before re:publica. Expect inspiring workshops, community meetups, and celebrations under the theme of Crisis Resilient Community Innovation. Where: Berlin Global Village Time: 09:00–20:00 |
May 18–20:
| re:publica Conference |
| Three days at Europe’s biggest festival on digital society. Experience the Makerspace in full swing with workshops, exhibitions, and thousands of visitors. Where: Station Berlin Time: 10:00–18:00 |
May 21:
| Berlin Innovation Ecosystem Day For GIG members and BIC Ethiopia delegation |
| A city tour showcasing the local maker and tech ecosystem. Explore Berlin’s vibrant innovation scene with the GIG community. |
May 22:
| Collaboration Day: Discussions & Meetings |
| A dedicated day for self-organised discussions, meetings, and collaborative brainstorming. |
May 22nd-23rd:
| AI (Ancestral Immediacies) at HKW |
| This event explores how AI-driven digital twins and synthetic identities are reshaping reality, offering GIG a critical lens for moving beyond simply using AI tools toward shaping how AI systems reflect and impact local communities. Learn more. |
May 23–24:
| Open Hardware Summit 2026 |
| Organised by the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA), this summit brings together the international open hardware community for panels, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions. Get your ticket here. |
May 25:
| Departure Day |
| Safe travels home! Until we meet again at the next GIG gathering. |
Essential Information
Everything you need to know to participate
About GIG & re:publica:
GIG has been deeply connected to re:publica for over 13 years. Every year, we co-create the Makerspace: a vibrant, community-driven space for teaching, learning, and showcasing hands-on skills. The Makerspace thrives because of contributions from GIG members worldwide, making it a unique platform at Europe’s biggest festival on digital society.
Visa & Travel Support:
Check your passport validity and book visa appointments early at your local German Embassy (recommended in February). Late appointments have prevented attendance in previous years.
Need a letter of invitation? Contact us as early as possible. As a general rule, try to self-fund travel. We provide letters of recommendation and may offer limited support. Contact us in writing in February if interested.
GIG Week 2026 is kindly supported by:
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We can’t wait to see you in Berlin!
