With participants representing over 144 countries and 1,000 organizations and networks, the GG provides a rejuvenating environment to foster solidarity across disciplines and regions. The gathering’s humane design, unique outdoor venue, and robust security and safety protocols have been celebrated for fostering authentic trust-building and catalyzing impactful coalitions.
In 2025, we are returning to our roots by embracing a more self-organized model, allowing participants to lead the most critical and practical conversations that will advance their work and goals, with a special focus on the following themes: innovative grassroots approaches to technology challenges; circumvention and secure communication technologies; and organizational sustainability.
Who should apply to the GG
The GG's design is celebrated for fostering trust and driving collaborations.
The GG has an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and regions. Examples of issues participants work on include: holistic digital security of journalists and civil society, counteracting online censorship and surveillance, grassroots approaches to AI, disinformation, climate and tech, and internet governance, among others. We encourage applications from the following profiles:
- Civil Society, Grassroots Networks, and Journalists - Individuals facing acute digital rights and security challenges due to their work.
- Public Interest and Open Source Technologists - Especially toolmakers of circumvention technologies and secure communication platforms, and community-led infrastructure specialists.
- Cybersecurity Specialists and Digital Security Trainers - Experts addressing emerging threats, particularly those impacting civil society, journalists, and citizens.
- Researchers and Policy Advocates - Individuals working on digital harms, disinformation, artificial intelligence, internet measurement and governance, and other tech-related areas.
- Funders - Funders that attend the GG are at the forefront of investment in tech-related challenges and have historically played a crucial role in advising new funders.
Themes and Format: Back to Basics
TCU will coordinate selected regional and topical Meetups, but participants will also be able to coordinate self-organized Circles.
This year, the event is going back to its roots, embracing a self-organized model to ensure conversations are driven by participants’ most pressing needs and challenges. Programming activities include:
Meetups & Circles
While Team CommUNITY will be coordinating a select number of topical and regional networking meetups, participants will be provided with tools to coordinate self-organized “Circles” or collaborative discussions. Note: Instructions will be shared after participants have been verified and accepted.
Villages & Private Events
Partners will be provided with space to host their own public and/or private events via more robust Village areas. If you are interested in this option, please reach out to us as soon as possible by emailing gather@digitalrights.community. Additionally, we will be working with trusted community nodes to coordinate regional villages, where participants can host more locally-focused discussions.
Booths
Projects will have the opportunity to host a booth in one of the numerous permanent structures available at the venue. Booths are great for showcasing work, demoing a tool, running a skillshare, or having one-to-one conversations with participants.
