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Welcome to the March'25 Edition of GIGinsights!
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This month, we're buzzing with innovation across the GIG network! From hands-on maker events to circular economy initiatives, our community continues to push boundaries and create meaningful impact worldwide.
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Dive into our March highlights to explore our newly launched EU-funded Make-a-thek project, learn about sustainable water solutions in Iraq, and more. Whether you're interested in educational transformation, circularity, or sustainable water solutions, there's something here that will spark your curiosity.
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Ready to explore the great work happening across our global community? Let's jump right in! 🔍🌱💡
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General Updates From the GIG Community and Team Members 📰
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Dive into Creativity: Explore Makerspace Wonders at re:publica 2025
The Makerspace at re:publica 2025 is a hands-on event for tech enthusiasts, crafters, and DIYers. It features workshops from May 26-28 on AI video creation, LED programming, solar-powered websites, and solar sensor setups. A Repair Café offers gadget and household device repairs, promoting a sustainable mindset. The Kid’s Corner, led by Junge Tüftler and Vivistop Baguio, provides creative projects for kids. Morning workshops focus on educators, while afternoon sessions are for kids and teens. Activities include button pin making, polymer clay creations, heat press art, heat shrink crafts, and 3D printing.
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Make-a-thek: Connecting Libraries with Circular Fashion and Crafts
In February, GIG launched the Make-a-thek project with nine partner organizations from seven countries. The initiative supports libraries in developing modular makerspaces focused on circular fashion and crafts. GIG aims to compile a 200-strong open resource repository covering open hardware, software, education, and technologies in the circular economy. Key finds include RepSketch, a community-driven fashion design tool, and the BitBadge, a simple LED badge. The Open Lab Starter Kit offers affordable, reproducible open-source machine tools for makerspaces. Little Free Library promotes community building and book access through volunteer-led book-exchange boxes. GIG will host online community calls during the three-year project.
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mAkE Impact Stories
In this compilation of the mAkE project's outcomes, you’ll encounter narratives that span continents and contexts, each showcasing the ingenuity, determination, and creativity of makers. You’ll meet youth empowered with entrepreneurial skills, metalworkers introduced to new horizons, and communities energized by the possibilities of distributed manufacturing.
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LibreWater: Innovating Sustainable Solutions for Water Scarcity in Iraq
LibreWater is an open-source initiative addressing water scarcity in Iraq through small-scale solar desalination. The project utilizes the Acraea 3.0 device, developed by GIG members, to desalinate water effectively with solar energy. Challenges with material durability and heat deformations have led to design modifications, including integrating a solar tracking system and exploring alternative materials. These efforts aim to enhance the system's reliability and efficiency. By making the technology freely available, LibreWater promotes localized problem-solving and sustainable water solutions. Future research will focus on optimizing the device for large-scale implementation.
Learn here
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Empowering Communities: Circular Material Valuer Project Helps Transforming Waste into Resources
GIG has started the "Circular Material Valuer" project, a new initiative focused on developing a participatory curriculum for a crucial role in the circular economy: assessing the potential reuse value of excess materials. This project intends to generate a shift in the way communities deal with their discarded materials. The project aims to create knowledge in participatory ways and develop tools that empower communities to value materials differently and contribute to sustainable practices worldwide. A kick-off call in February introduced the project to the GIG community and invited participation in upcoming workshops and other activities.
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Special Dedication: Newly Nominated Members 🌍
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We are delighted to welcome our new members to our global community!
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Each of them has been nominated by fellow GIG members for their outstanding contributions and alignment with our mission. Feel free to reach out to say hi 👋
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- Asem Kamal, (Cairo, Egypt)
- Gideon Brefo (Kumasi, Ghana)
- Mohamed Kamal (Cairo,Egypt)
- Osman Diriye (Mogadisho,Somalia)
- Xhendet Gegollaj, (Kosovo)
- Lydia Taban, (South Sudan)
- Vianney, (Cameroon)
- Vuyisa Qabaka, (Capetown)
- Kim Lockett, (Capetown)
- Felix RockStudio, (Capetown)
- Valerian Sanga, (Tanazania)
- Yusuf Vawda, (Capetown)
- Chiara Croci, (Austria)
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Events and Opportunities 🎯
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Events:
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24th-31st May 2025 – GIG Week 2025 | Berlin, Germany.
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GIG Week 2025 is coming up! Join us for a series of events including GIG Community events and tours of local innovation hubs. Stay tuned for more details.
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This year’s festival for the digital society will focus on the theme “Generation XYZ”. The program will explore key topics related to the opportunities and challenges of digitalization.
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30th & 31st May 2025 – Open Hardware Summit 2025 | Edinburgh, Scotland.
Open call for talks, workshops, exhibitors, and collaborators to support the summit's organization and promotion.
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4th - 11th July 2025 – FAB25 | Brno and Prague, Czechia.
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This year, the world's largest digital fabrication event will bring local and global innovators to the Czech Republic, shaped by insights from over 50 European FabLabs. For those attending FAB25, please check out the planning document here.
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Community Buzz:
AI Series Community Calls Call for Input
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The team is looking for AI-related topics that GIG members are passionate about to include in our upcoming AI Series Community Calls. What exciting themes should we, as a community, explore - any emerging tech, creative innovations, or big challenges in your fields? Let us know!
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GIG Community Podcast Brainstorm
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Pawel Ngei has an idea to do some podcast episodes with different charities. He wants to pitch GIG and some of its members. Are you interested? Feel free to reach out to Pawel!
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Opportunities:
Regenerative Agriculture Training Course
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Together with Purpose Aligned Leadership Collective, Kersti Wissenbach is offering a training course directed at women who are interested in sustainability and regeneration topics from a leadership lens.
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Zendesk Foundation Tech for Good Impact Awards
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The Zendesk Foundation Tech for Good Impact Awards will provide free software and multiple grants ranging from $5,000 - $50,000 to global nonprofit organizations.
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Deadline: 15th August 2025
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UNICEF Venture Fund Call for Applications
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UNICEF Venture Fund seeks applications from startups creating tech solutions to improve women's healthcare access and socio-economic participation. Offers up to $100K equity-free funding for early-stage, for-profit startups using AI, data science, and blockchain for social impact.
Deadline: 8th May 2025
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Support GIG 🎯
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We invite you to join us in driving innovation for social impact worldwide as a supporting member.
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Why Support GIG? 🤝
- Drive long-term growth and sustainability for a global network of innovators.
- Promote inclusive, sustainable innovation through knowledge exchange and learning.
- Advance open hardware research and distributed manufacturing.
- Strengthen grassroots climate resilience efforts worldwide.
Ways to Support 🌟
Here are the suggested annual contributions:
Small Organizations: €300
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For organizations with fewer than 50 employees or under €1 million budget
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Large Organizations: €3,000+
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For organizations with 50+ employees or €1 million+ budget
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Contribute now or contact us to learn how your support can help social innovators create lasting change in communities worldwide.
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👀 Stay tuned for more exciting updates next month! 💌
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