Community access to connectivity can be initiated using different approaches, with variables that influence the ways in which this can be achieved: autonomously driven by communities themselves; convened and promoted by national, regional or global organisations dedicated to work on connectivity gaps that affect unserved or underserved regions; or promoted by public policies advocating for communities’ digital inclusion. In connection with this, other variables such as economic, political and technological environments affect the possibility of community-centred connectivity initiatives to be either undertaken or to face challenges due to legislation, regulations, or financing and sustainability factors.
Since 2019 the Local Network (LocNet) initiative has been working to support meaningful connectivity for communities, while contributing to enabling ecosystems for their emergence and growth. During this time LocNet has accompanied and promoted numerous processes, highlighting lessons learned from these experiences. While doing so, we reflect on our practices, research the fields where we work, and develop resources that motivate and nurture the steps toward bridging the connectivity gap for communities’ digital inclusion.