In this issue, we celebrate and share the experiences of women who are overcoming challenges and stereotypes of gender, class and race to build more inclusive spaces and experiences to foster community-centred connectivity around the world. This is the case with September's interviewees on the Routing for Communities podcast, who come from Brazil and Nigeria. It is also demonstrated in projects implemented by Colnodo in Colombia and AFCHIX in Morocco, Namibia and Kenya.
Welcome to the 62nd monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks and community-based initiatives.
Routing for Communities podcast
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In September we launched two new episodes of the Routing for Communities podcast. This month, we travel to Brazil and Nigeria to find out more about experiences with community networks, reflecting on how access inequalities combine with gender and race. The episodes also show how a community-centred approach could help us build more inclusive spaces. Listen to them now:
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Stay tuned: In October, two new episodes will take us on a journey to Colombia and the UK to hear the life stories of people connecting themselves while defending the fundamental rights and well-being of their communities. Join our Telegram channel now to keep up to date with the new releases.
Community networks news and stories
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“The installation project in Pagak is not just about wires and technology; it’s about empowering a community with the tools to shape their destiny while harnessing the sun’s energy for a sustainable future.” Check out an article from BOSCO Uganda about their project to build sustainable power alternatives and expand internet access in a community. Read more.
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Internet for the people: This article discusses how grassroots organisations like NYC Mesh in the USA want to close the digital divide, one rooftop at a time. Read more.
Gendered experiences
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The community network "San Isidro: El Oasis" was just inaugurated in Colombia. This important achievement marks the first community network established through a project by civil society organisation Colnodo focusing on rural women in the country. Read more. [Available in Spanish.]
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Breaking stereotypes in community network deployments: This was the thought-provoking motto of the AFCHIX session at the 2023 African Community Networks Virtual Event. The recordings are available for those interested in hearing the latest about the projects implemented by the organisation in Morocco, Namibia and Kenya. Watch now.
Enabling policy and regulation
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This presentation given during the 2023 African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) provides an overview of the state of access in Africa and highlights the power of community-centred connectivity alternatives. Read more.
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Community networks have emerged as notable players in last-mile connectivity in Kenya, combining infrastructure deployment, affordable internet access, capacity building, digital skills and availability of digital devices through resource centres. Find out more in this reflection published by KICTANet. Read more.
Publications, research and toolkits
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The role of women in building community networks: This tutorial’s central message lies in recognising the indispensable role of women in shaping a more inclusive and connected society. Read more.
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The Community Digital Safety Kit is a tool from Colnodo's School of Digital Security. It aims to help people in protecting their information and communications in digital environments. Read more. [Available in Spanish.]
Events
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This year, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will take place in Kyoto, Japan, from 8 to 12 October. Read more.
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The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) just published a list of IGF events that their staff and members will be involved in. Some of them focus on community-centred alternatives to bridge the digital divide, such as the following ones:
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Participants in the Amazon Community Networks School in Brazil took part in the Dweb+CoolabCamp event, organised by the Brazilian organisation Coolab in September. This was an opportunity for people involved or interested in community networks to meet, learn from each other and join efforts. Read more. [Available in Portuguese.]
Funding opportunities
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Do you have a valuable idea in the area of digital commons and networked technology? This open call from the NLnet Foundation will support projects focusing on further developing open solutions that empower users in all layers of technology.The application is simple, but the deadline is close: 1 October 2023. Read more.
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The Feminist Internet Research Network (FIRN) has launched a call for proposals. Individual researchers and/or organisations are invited to submit research proposals that address critical and emerging issues related to technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The deadline for applications is 2 November 2023. Read more.
Featured from the community networks learning repository
Did you know there is an online learning repository focused on materials made for and by community networks? This is a collective space to store and exchange resources that can be useful in training processes.
Among many materials on different topics, this month, in light of this year's IGF, we want to invite you to dive into cutting-edge regulations, policies, and community network materials.
This newsletter is part of the Local Networks (LocNet) initiative, an initiative led by APC in partnership with Rhizomatica that aims to directly support the work of community networks and to contribute to an enabling ecosystem for the emergence and growth of community networks and other community-based connectivity activities in developing countries. You can read more about the initiative here, here, and here.
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