Empowering Education Through Makerlabs: Collaborative Innovation in a Connected Network

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 […]

LibreWater in Iraq: Advancing Small-Scale Solar Desalination

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 […]

Sustainable Business Models for Makerspaces

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 […]

Exploring Circular Economy Innovations: The SCoPE Initiative in Lomé

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, […]

DOTS 2024 – The Impact Summit is Back!

The Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) is pleased to announce the fourth DOTS Festival edition, scheduled for December 5th and December 10th, 2024. This event will continue to build on the success of previous editions, fostering collaboration and innovation among members from diverse backgrounds, which makes DOTS our Internal Impact Summit! Event Schedule December 5th, 2024: […]

Open for all

GIG supported its member Felipe Fonseca to join the OSPOS for Good 2024 in New York. This is a report from the days in The Big Apple. I was recently in New York City, for two combined events about “open source”. Even typing these words right now makes me quite conscious of how this may […]

Algorithmic discrimination in Brazil

Digital technologies are increasingly used worldwide to mediate social dynamics, manage access to rights and ensure participation in economic life. However, the way such technologies are created has blind spots, sometimes literally. There is not enough discussion about the extent to which a digital infrastructure embeds discriminatory and racist assumptions when developed and deployed critically. […]

Exploring identity and contesting racism through games: a co-design lab in Brazil

Racism is a pervasive and complex problem, affecting individuals and societies differently. How can we address this issue creatively and engagingly? How can we use games for empowerment, awareness, and education? These questions motivated a co-design lab in Brazil in a partnership between GIG and the University of Bristol and its collaborators. The co-design lab […]

Watch the Stream! GIG 10th anniversary

Check the online transmission! GIG supports the work of its 155 members in 47 countries. GIG facilitates global exchange between innovators and innovation spaces, and implements various projects. As the world becomes more complex and fast-paced, so do the challenges, threatening the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. Therefore, GIG enables cross-cultural connections and global knowledge […]

Filling the gaps in Iraq

We sat down to talk with Nawres Arif this past Thursday to discuss his maker program in Iraq. Nawres is a trained pharmacist but considers himself to be more than that. He is also an artist, designer, and robot maker. In around 2003, Nawres became a part of the global maker movement. His passion for […]