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Welcome to February'26 Edition of GIGinsights!
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February is off to a vibrant start, and the energy across our network is catching on!
From a cosy New Year's breakfast bringing Berlin's tech-for-justice community together, to the exciting launch of the DATA-RIDE citizen science project, the GIG network is turning connection into collective action. Across our global community, members are building makerspaces in Colombia, bridging digital tools with nomadic life in Chad, and co-designing regenerative futures in Spain, showcasing how local innovation and global solidarity go hand in hand.
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Ready to dive into the projects and people shaping our network this month? Let's go! 🌍✨
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General Updates From the GIG Community 📰
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New Year’s Breakfast: Global, Digital, and Sustainable
On 29 January, we joined forces with Berlin Global Village to bring together Berlin organisations working at the intersection of tech and global justice for a New Year's breakfast. Over coffee and conversation, organisations from both networks — including Dreamspace Academy and Medialepfade — shared their 2026 visions and plans. World café-style discussions turned group introductions into real explorations of potential partnerships.
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This lovely gathering was a timely reminder that when global challenges persist, collaboration isn't optional. By aligning efforts and networks, we can amplify impact through collective action. A huge thank you to everyone who showed up ready to connect, and to Berlin Global Village for co-hosting!
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Project Launch: DATA-RIDE
We're delighted to share the launch of DATA-RIDE, a citizen science initiative selected through the LAUDS Factories Open Call #2!
A collaboration between GIG, GIG members Artur Kim Shum and Laura Sobral, and Université de Lorraine, the project builds on re:edu's open-source senseBox:bike platform to capture real-time mobility and environmental data from the streets. But DATA-RIDE goes beyond data collection — it aims to transform how cycling infrastructure gets built by translating citizen-generated insights into policy recommendations and advocacy strategies. Thank you to LAUDS Factories for this opportunity, and we can't wait to see how this project can empower citizens to push for safer streets.
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New Report: Libraries & Makerspaces for Circular Craft
Developed by GIG as part of the make-a-thek project, this report explores how libraries can evolve into makerspaces that support circular fashion and heritage crafts. Drawing on policy research, an analysis of 380+ open tools, and community activations across pilot cities, it highlights key recommendations including hybrid analog–digital maker infrastructures, librarian training as facilitators, and open toolchains for repair — making the case for libraries as essential circular skills infrastructure.
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GIG Members' Project Highlights ✨
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PermaFuturos, Spain
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PermaFuturos is a citizen-led social science project organised by Kersti Wissenbach and her team at Cultiva Lab, which brings communities across Spain together to dig into the root causes of climate resilience challenges and co-design regenerative solutions through participatory systems thinking inspired by permaculture. The project's methodology has already been put to the test through two living labs in rural Spain, and we're excited to see where it goes next. Interested in collaborating? Reach out to [email protected].
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Chad Innovation Hub, Chad
Dedede Makerspace, Colombia
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K4os and the Dedede team have created a makerspace at Casa de la Ciencia in Salento, Colombia, equipped with computers, printers, VR equipment, sewing machines, and electronics. It is now hosting meet-ups, including 3D printing and robotics workshops for children. The space aims to nurture learning, cooperation, and civic empowerment while envisioning connected communities and humanity's growth beyond Earth!
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Events:
The 25th edition of this summit brings together global leaders and change-makers to explore vision, perspectives, and value-driven sustainability strategies. It is designed for policymakers and sustainability advocates committed to advancing SDGs worldwide.
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One of Asia's largest open source community gatherings, this conference brings together developers, makers, and open tech advocates. It offers talks, workshops, and networking for those interested in free and open source software, hardware, and data.
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This summit focuses on sustainable manufacturing and circular economy solutions for industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers. It explores innovative technologies and strategies for reducing waste, reusing materials, and creating sustainable manufacturing processes.
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This event focuses on governance, sustainability, and the human side of open source software. It is designed for community managers, and contributors addressing non-technical challenges including project governance, funding, and building inclusive communities.
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This long-running community event is a volunteer-organised open source and Linux conference with a strong education focus. It features talks, workshops, and meetups across free and open source software topics for enthusiasts, professionals, and newcomers alike.
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March 30–1 April 2026 – ChangeNOW | Paris, France
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This is the world's largest gathering for planetary solutions. Featuring over 1,000 innovative solutions and exhibitions, it connects innovators, investors, companies, and cities committed to environmental and social impact.
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Opportunities:
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This initiative supports US-based climate resilience projects that address both climate adaptation and mitigation challenges. Projects must involve partnerships between climate adaptation practitioners, government entities, and community-based organisations.
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This call invites locally-driven companies, start-ups, and social enterprises to submit clean energy innovation proposals for feasibility, pilot, or scale-up projects. It offers grants and repayable grants of approximately EUR 200,000–500,000 per project.
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This regional call seeks multi-country consortia to develop innovations in agri-food systems that are more productive, competitive, and environmentally sustainable. It prioritises technologies with strong adoption potential and regional impact across Latin America and the Caribbean.
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This funding opportunity invites SMEs, cooperatives, social enterprises, NGOs, and public/private entities to strengthen smallholder livelihoods and promote sustainable value chains. It prioritises projects in Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and the Congo Basin.
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This award by Wellcome Trust supports transdisciplinary research collaborations addressing urgent evidence gaps on the impacts of climate change on health and society. It is directed toward academic and research-led consortia generating actionable insights to inform policy and practice.
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Organised by the Austrian Development Agency, this call funds partnerships between private sector actors and NGOs to deliver inclusive economic development. It prioritises innovation, strong collaboration, and sustainable development impact aligned with SDG 8 and SDG 9.
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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 Organisations: €300
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For organisations with fewer than 50 employees or under €1 million budget
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Large Organisations: €3,000+
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For organisations 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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