Author: Ricardo Ruiz

A vegetation enthusiast. My experience ranges from a consultant for IBM Corporate Service Corps International Leadership Training / PYXERA Global; co-founder and designer at 3Ecologias, an IT consulting firm for the environment, education and culture; and also a co-founder of Descentro – Institute of Research in Media, Culture and Technology. I have participated in numerous projects for social inclusion through opens source information technology.
Critical Making

Open Hardware Solutions for Rural Water Access: A GIG Community Story

Written by Ricardo Ruiz

The latest Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) Community Call brought together members of the network to discuss an open-source project that directly addresses water access challenges in rural and coastal regions. The project centres on a portable, solar-powered reverse osmosis (RO) system with a seven-stage filtration design. Developed through collaboration and knowledge exchange, the system is … Continue reading “Open Hardware Solutions for Rural Water Access: A GIG Community Story”

Events

Weaving Future Systems: Digital Fabrication, Biomaterials, and Traditional Knowledge in Latin America

Written by Ricardo Ruiz

(Spanish version below) The Global Innovation Gathering (GIG), through the Make-a-thek Community Call series supported by the EU Horizon framework, has been exploring how making culture can be embedded in libraries through fashion and extended into global contexts. The latest session focused on Latin America, highlighting sustainable practices at the intersection of digital fabrication, biomaterials, … Continue reading “Weaving Future Systems: Digital Fabrication, Biomaterials, and Traditional Knowledge in Latin America”

Events

Bridging Tradition and Innovation: A Glimpse into Sustainable Fashion with Make-a-thek Community Calls

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 … Continue reading “Bridging Tradition and Innovation: A Glimpse into Sustainable Fashion with Make-a-thek Community Calls”

Critical Making

OAXIN Brings Community-Driven Innovation to Life at IDDS Ayuujk 2025 in Oaxaca, Mexico

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? … Continue reading “OAXIN Brings Community-Driven Innovation to Life at IDDS Ayuujk 2025 in Oaxaca, Mexico”

Events

Heritage Crafts and Sustainable Futures: Great learnings from the Community Call

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 … Continue reading “Heritage Crafts and Sustainable Futures: Great learnings from the Community Call”

Environment

Community Call: the LibreWater Prototype Replication in Iraq

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 … Continue reading “Community Call: the LibreWater Prototype Replication in Iraq”

Critical Making

Building Sustainable Futures: Outcomes from LibreWater’s Solar Desalination Efforts

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 … Continue reading “Building Sustainable Futures: Outcomes from LibreWater’s Solar Desalination Efforts”

Events

Insights from the Make-a-thek Community Call on Inclusive Fashion and Assistive Technology

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, … Continue reading “Insights from the Make-a-thek Community Call on Inclusive Fashion and Assistive Technology”

DOTS

Empowering Education Through Makerlabs: Collaborative Innovation in a Connected Network

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 … Continue reading “Empowering Education Through Makerlabs: Collaborative Innovation in a Connected Network”

Critical Making

LibreWater in Iraq: Advancing Small-Scale Solar Desalination

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 … Continue reading “LibreWater in Iraq: Advancing Small-Scale Solar Desalination”