We are GIG
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
On November 27, 2025, the Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) convened a call focused on peer-to-peer (P2P) financing and cooperative ecosystems. Innovators, activists, and practitioners examined alternative financial models, the role of cooperatives, and community-driven currencies. The aim of the session was to present alternative organizational models for grassroots organizations, especially those in the global south, […]
Written by Melanie Chan
What happens when communities facing climate disasters come together to create their own solutions? In our latest GIG community call, we explored an inspiring journey of grassroots innovation that traveled from Brazil to the Philippines, showing how powerful ideas can replicate across the globe. The call opened with an introduction to LabStorm, a citizen innovation […]
Written by Fadia Elgharib
This November, Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) was delighted to take part in the 8th edition of the VULCA Seminar in Ispra, Italy, hosted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) — the third-largest European Commission site. The seminar marked a significant milestone: 11 years of VULCA’s journey, evolving from a citizen-led initiative into a vibrant member-driven […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
Join us for an inspiring Community Call exploring peer-to-peer (P2P) financing and cooperative ecosystems. Discover how these models can empower grassroots innovation across the Global South and unlock sustainable growth for innovators worldwide. GIG will co-host this online session with Platform Coops eG, a pioneering German cooperative that champions digital, democratic, and community-led economic models. […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The OpenFlexure Project is an open-source initiative that provides high-precision mechanical positioning tools accessible to anyone with a 3D printer. It focuses on developing scientific hardware such as microscopes and micromanipulators, enabling low-cost, customisable solutions for research and education. The project includes designs like the OpenFlexure Microscope and various mechanical stages, all supported through community […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The Global Innovation Gathering Community Call on Solarpunk Visions and Makerspaces unfolded as a continuation of a dialogue first ignited in Berlin earlier this year. The discussion revisited questions of visibility, imagination, and shared futures within the maker movement. Led by GIG member Paweł Ngei, the session examined how storytelling can function as a prototype for social and […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
The Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) recently hosted a community call focusing on project sustainability and value generation. The session featured Miguel Chavez, a GIG member who joined the network in 2015, sharing his professional trajectory. The discussion explored achieving sustainability beyond relying solely on grants or investment, emphasising the necessity of generating value for users […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
On October 1st, the Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) hosted an inspiring community call centred around the transformative concept of reciprocity as a resource beyond monetary exchange. This session built on enriching discussions from the GIG Day workshops in May, continuing our journey toward alternative systems of value and support. Our guest speaker was GIG member […]
Written by Ricardo Ruiz
In Brazilian Portuguese, cirandar evokes the joyful act of dancing hand-in-hand in a continuous circle, guided by the rhythm of ciranda—a traditional dance rooted in community, inclusion, and shared movement. This circular motion is more than choreography; it’s a metaphor for collective harmony and the power of togetherness. Inspired by this symbolism, Cirandar is also […]
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 […]
