We are GIG
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) recently hosted another insightful session as part of its Make-a-thek Community Calls, a series integral to the EU Horizon project “MAKE-a-thek”. This ambitious project aims to build and activate maker spaces within Europe’s library network, with a dedicated focus on sustainable fashion. These maker spaces are envisioned as vibrant community […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
Centro Oaxaqueño de Innovación (OAXIN), a Global Innovation Gathering Hub Member, is advancing community-driven design in Oaxaca through the International Development Design Summit (IDDS) Ayuujk 2025 in Santa María Tlahuitoltepec. This article outlines OAXIN’s approach, the summit’s scope, the projects under development, and the concrete ways supporters can enable continuity and implementation. Who is OAXIN? […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The recent community call convened by Global Innovation Gathering as part of the make-a-thek project examined the relationship between heritage crafts, sustainability, and circularity across diverse contexts. The conversation centred on the work of practitioners in Ukraine and Iraq and explored the intersection of crafts with community identity, economic development, and mental health. It was […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) convened a community call to examine the outcomes of the LibreWater prototype replication in Basra, Iraq, supported by the Roddenberry Fund. The session aimed to analyse the technological and collaborative dimensions of transferring an open-source solar-powered desalination device from design and laboratory testing to field conditions in Iraq, within the […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The LibreWater project has recently achieved significant results, particularly in deploying small-scale solar desalination prototypes in Basra, Iraq. Rooted in open-source methodologies and collaborative global innovation, the project examined two distinct approaches for solar-powered water desalination: the solar concentrator dish and the Fresnel lens design. The LibreWater and ScienceCamp team developed substantial insights regarding technical […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The Make-a-thek Community Call on May 14, 2025, brought together experts and practitioners to discuss inclusive fashion and assistive technology. The session featured presentations from Sema Gedik, founder of Auf Augenhoehe, and Saad Chinoy, a maker and advocate for accessible design. Their work highlights the intersection of sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. Sema shared her journey, […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
Education and Makerlabs represent a dynamic intersection of innovation, collaboration, and skill-building. Makerlabs, as spaces dedicated to hands-on learning and creativity, have become increasingly integrated into educational frameworks. They provide opportunities for learners to engage in project-based activities, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Integrating Makerlabs into education is challenging, but the potential benefits are […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
Water scarcity is persistent in many regions, particularly arid and semi-arid areas. Due to environmental and geopolitical factors, Iraq faces significant challenges in securing clean drinking water. LibreWater, an open-source initiative, seeks to address this issue through decentralized, small-scale solar desalination. The project is part of a broader effort from the Global Innovation Gathering to […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The “Open Catalogue of Business Models,” developed by the MAKE project, serves as a resource to enhance the financial sustainability of makerspaces and foster a decentralized production ecosystem. This catalogue is structured to provide inspiration and guidance, allowing makerspaces to adapt and experiment with various business model elements to suit their unique environments. The catalogue […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The SCoPE project, led by L’Africaine d’architecture and implemented at Woelab in Lomé, Togo, aims to tackle plastic waste issues by creating a circular economy model. Supported by the Stiftung Nord-Süd-Brücken and the Global Innovation Gathering, this initiative represents a collaborative effort to innovate waste management practices. Through the project, plastic waste is collected, sorted, […]
