Session
Youth IGF DRC
Athanase Bahizire, Coordinator Youth IGF DRC, Technical Community, Africa Claire van Zwieten, Alumni Specialist, Internet Society Foundation, Civil Society, WEOG Hon. Safari Nshuti Ayobangira, Member of Parliament, DR Congo, Government - Africa Sebastian Bellagamba, Vice President of External and Community Engagement - Internet Society, Technical Community, GRULAC Svaradiva Anurdea Devi, Internet Development Institute / University of Malta, Civil Society, Asia and Pacific
Athanase Bahizire, Coordinator Youth IGF DRC, Technical Community, Africa Claire van Zwieten, Alumni Specialist, Internet Society Foundation, Civil Society, WEOG Hon. Safari Nshuti Ayobangira, Member of Parliament, DR Congo, Government - Africa Sebastian Bellagamba, Vice President of External and Community Engagement - Internet Society, Technical Community, GRULAC Svaradiva Anurdea Devi, Internet Development Institute / University of Malta, Civil Society, Asia and Pacific
Organization's Website
Speakers
Hon. Safari Nshuti Ayobangira, Member of Parliament, DR Congo, Government - Africa
Sebastian Bellagamba, Vice President of External and Community Engagement - Internet Society, Technical Community, GRULAC
Svaradiva Anurdea Devi, Internet Development Institute / University of Malta, Civil Society, Asia and Pacific
Onsite Moderator
Svaradiva Anurdea Devi
Rapporteur
Athanase Bahizire
SDGs
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
9.1
9.4
9.5
9.a
9.b
9.c
10. Reduced Inequalities
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.6
10.a
10.c
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
11.1
11.4
11.7
11.a
11.c
17. Partnerships for the Goals
17.1
17.14
17.15
17.16
17.17
17.18
17.19
17.3
17.6
17.7
17.8
17.9
Targets: This proposal directly aligns with the selected SDG targets and addresses critical challenges in digital connectivity, and also advocates for sustainable, community-led solutions to bridge the digital divide. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 9.1 : Community networks provide essential digital infrastructure in underserved areas, ensuring equitable Internet access for all. 9.4 : Community networks promote sustainable digital development by leveraging innovative, cost-effective, and energy-efficient connectivity solutions. 9.5 : These networks foster local innovation by empowering communities with digital tools, enabling them to develop localized solutions for their socio-economic challenges. 9.a : Community networks represent a scalable, locally driven model that supports digital infrastructure expansion, particularly in remote and rural areas. 9.b : By encouraging local ownership and skills development, community networks build technical expertise and digital entrepreneurship within communities. 9.c : The core objective of this session is to showcase how community networks provide affordable and accessible Internet services, directly contributing to universal connectivity. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 10.2 : Community networks empower marginalized populations by providing access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. 10.3 : By enabling connectivity in areas overlooked by traditional ISPs, these initiatives create equal digital opportunities. 10.4 The session will explore policy and regulatory frameworks that support community networks, advocating for inclusive digital policies. 10.6, 10.a, 10.b : Community networks foster inclusive governance by involving local actors and benefiting from global funding and technical assistance. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 11.1 : Digital connectivity is now a fundamental service, and community networks enable access to vital services such as telemedicine, remote learning, and digital banking. 11.4 : Digital access supports local content creation and knowledge-sharing, preserving indigenous languages and cultures. 11.7 : Connectivity fosters social inclusion and community engagement in public decision-making processes. 11.a, 11.c : Community networks bridge rural-urban digital divides, promoting balanced regional development. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 17.1, 17.3 : The session highlights funding models that sustain community networks and encourage investment in digital inclusion. 17.6 : We encourage knowledge-sharing and cross-regional collaboration by sharing case studies from Kenya and DR Congo. 17.7 : The discussion will emphasize affordable and locally developed connectivity solutions. 17.8 : Community networks play a vital role in digital literacy and capacity-building. 17.9 : The session aims to provide technical, financial, and policy guidance to support the growth of community networks. 17.14, 17.15 : We promote policy coherence and locally adapted solutions by engaging stakeholders, including governments, regulators, civil society, and local communities. 17.16, 17.17, 17.18, 17.19 : This proposal advocates for inclusive partnerships to expand connectivity, develop data-driven policies, and track impact. This session will advance these SDG targets and inspire collective action toward digital equity by highlighting real-world examples, exploring innovative solutions, and advocating for supportive policies.
9.1
9.4
9.5
9.a
9.b
9.c
10. Reduced Inequalities
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.6
10.a
10.c
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
11.1
11.4
11.7
11.a
11.c
17. Partnerships for the Goals
17.1
17.14
17.15
17.16
17.17
17.18
17.19
17.3
17.6
17.7
17.8
17.9
Targets: This proposal directly aligns with the selected SDG targets and addresses critical challenges in digital connectivity, and also advocates for sustainable, community-led solutions to bridge the digital divide. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 9.1 : Community networks provide essential digital infrastructure in underserved areas, ensuring equitable Internet access for all. 9.4 : Community networks promote sustainable digital development by leveraging innovative, cost-effective, and energy-efficient connectivity solutions. 9.5 : These networks foster local innovation by empowering communities with digital tools, enabling them to develop localized solutions for their socio-economic challenges. 9.a : Community networks represent a scalable, locally driven model that supports digital infrastructure expansion, particularly in remote and rural areas. 9.b : By encouraging local ownership and skills development, community networks build technical expertise and digital entrepreneurship within communities. 9.c : The core objective of this session is to showcase how community networks provide affordable and accessible Internet services, directly contributing to universal connectivity. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 10.2 : Community networks empower marginalized populations by providing access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. 10.3 : By enabling connectivity in areas overlooked by traditional ISPs, these initiatives create equal digital opportunities. 10.4 The session will explore policy and regulatory frameworks that support community networks, advocating for inclusive digital policies. 10.6, 10.a, 10.b : Community networks foster inclusive governance by involving local actors and benefiting from global funding and technical assistance. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 11.1 : Digital connectivity is now a fundamental service, and community networks enable access to vital services such as telemedicine, remote learning, and digital banking. 11.4 : Digital access supports local content creation and knowledge-sharing, preserving indigenous languages and cultures. 11.7 : Connectivity fosters social inclusion and community engagement in public decision-making processes. 11.a, 11.c : Community networks bridge rural-urban digital divides, promoting balanced regional development. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 17.1, 17.3 : The session highlights funding models that sustain community networks and encourage investment in digital inclusion. 17.6 : We encourage knowledge-sharing and cross-regional collaboration by sharing case studies from Kenya and DR Congo. 17.7 : The discussion will emphasize affordable and locally developed connectivity solutions. 17.8 : Community networks play a vital role in digital literacy and capacity-building. 17.9 : The session aims to provide technical, financial, and policy guidance to support the growth of community networks. 17.14, 17.15 : We promote policy coherence and locally adapted solutions by engaging stakeholders, including governments, regulators, civil society, and local communities. 17.16, 17.17, 17.18, 17.19 : This proposal advocates for inclusive partnerships to expand connectivity, develop data-driven policies, and track impact. This session will advance these SDG targets and inspire collective action toward digital equity by highlighting real-world examples, exploring innovative solutions, and advocating for supportive policies.
Format
This session will be ideal in a classroom format to maximize the interaction.
Session Flow:
- Introduction (5 minutes)
The moderator will open the session by introducing the topic and its objectives.
They will then introduce the speakers and hand over the floor.
- Presentations (15 minutes)
Both speakers will share their perspectives through individual presentations.
- Q&A (5 minutes)
The moderator will facilitate a brief Q&A session.
Due to time constraints, a maximum of five questions will be accommodated.
- Closing (5 minutes)
Each speaker will have two minutes to reflect on the questions, share relevant resources or contact details, and provide closing remarks.
The moderator will conclude the session by thanking the speakers and audience, encouraging further engagement with the resources and speakers beyond the session.
Duration (minutes)
30
Description
Community networks are proving to be an effective solution for closing the digital divide, particularly in remote and underserved areas where traditional infrastructure falls short. These community-driven initiatives empower local populations to build, operate, and maintain their own Internet infrastructure, especially in rural areas and other regions where commercial Internet service providers consider expansion unprofitable. In doing so, community networks enable access to vital services such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, fostering social inclusion and digital equity.
This session will highlight successful community network initiatives, such as the Kenyan Community Network (https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2018/06/tunapandanet-paves-the-way… ) and the PamojaNet Community Network in the Idjwi island in the DR Congo (https://www.la-difference.com/innovation-article-community-internet ), and discuss how these grassroots efforts are contributing to the sustainable digital development important in achieving the SDGs. By sharing these practical examples, we aim to show how similar approaches can be adapted and scaled worldwide to connect the unconnected.
As community networks gain momentum, innovative technical and financial models are playing a pivotal role in supporting their growth. We will explore technical innovations that are creating affordable and portable connectivity tools to provide immediate Internet access in remote areas. We will also discuss how organizations like the Internet Society (https://www.internetsociety.org/funding-areas/connecting-the-unconnecte… ) and the Association for Progressive Communications (https://www.apc.org/en/project/connecting-unconnected-supporting-commun… ), offer essential financial, legal and technical support for the establishment and expansion of these networks.
In addition, we will examine the policy and regulatory frameworks that play a critical role in either supporting or hindering the growth of community networks. Supported by on-ground experience, we will examine what actions governments, regulators, and other stakeholders need to take to create an environment favorable to the growth of community networks. By hearing from those who have successfully navigated these challenges, participants will gain insights into how to build sustainable, community-based solutions that work.
This session aims to inform participants about the potential of community networks and inspire action to connect the unconnected. By identifying best practices and facilitating partnerships among governments, civil society, and local communities, we can collectively work towards achieving universal and affordable Internet access worldwide, and bridge the digital divide particularly in rural and marginalized areas.
This session will be a lightning talk. Although all speakers will be onsite, they will prepare their presentations in advance to be shared with the audience. This will enhance the experience for online participants and provide them with essential resources to better understand the key points discussed, especially given the session’s limited time. During the Q&A, interactive section with the audience, the onsite moderator will be attentive to the physical queue as well as hands raised or written comments from online. The questions or interventions will be allowed starting with the online hands and written chats, and then following the physical queue, and so on. That way we will achieve an equal experience between the online and onsite audience.
This session will be a lightning talk. Although all speakers will be onsite, they will prepare their presentations in advance to be shared with the audience. This will enhance the experience for online participants and provide them with essential resources to better understand the key points discussed, especially given the session’s limited time. During the Q&A, interactive section with the audience, the onsite moderator will be attentive to the physical queue as well as hands raised or written comments from online. The questions or interventions will be allowed starting with the online hands and written chats, and then following the physical queue, and so on. That way we will achieve an equal experience between the online and onsite audience.