Our Core Values

GIG members are committed to the values of constant curiosity, open collaboration, and sustainable impact. Our network is built on openness, trust, respect, love and magic.

• We are driven and shaped by grassroots perspectives on development and social innovation.
• We believe in diversity and inclusion. All humans are equal! We respect different religious, political or ethnic views as well as arbitrary criteria such as sex, ethnicity, age, degree or position.
• GIG embraces a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds.
• We aim to contribute to the creation of open, sustainable, inclusive technologies. Further we aim to employ technology to make the world a culturally, socially, environmentally and economically sustainable place for all to live in.
• We believe in the power of the community to solve challenges. We believe in solving problems locally and sustainably by way of utilizing and/or establishing local infrastructures. We also believe in collaborating and working together across borders to support the development, exchange and adaption of grassroots innovations to solve global problems.
• We believe in free and equal access to information which includes access to education and opportunities, open access to knowledge and technology such as the Internet.
• Whether it’s building infrastructure, shaping policies, building solutions or managing communities, or researching, GIG is an alliance of people who believe in actively shaping their future, supporting their communities and taking responsibility.
• We believe in active citizenship, in doing instead of waiting and in development through grassroot initiatives. This includes research and education as much as creating or supporting technological innovation and debate.

Our Objectives

GIG is pursuing a new vision for global cooperation and development based on equality, openness and sharing.

As an international network and NGO, we aim to create meaningful connections between innovators and have a positive impact on the policies and frameworks for grassroots innovation.

• GIG enables cooperation and international exchange between innovators and social innovation spaces, in order to support their work and share best practices.
• GIG supports hub sustainability and peer-capacity development between members.

GIG aims to contribute to the creation and use of open, inclusive and sustainable technologies.  

• GIG supports the collaborative creation of sustainable development and open, fair and inclusive technologies.
• GIG supports the international reach and adaption of sustainable, open technologies for ecological and social innovation, and
• GIG promotes dialogue and fosters exchange on digital rights, inclusion and diversity

GIG supports research in innovation and development, digital rights and technology ecosystem questions carried out by local experts and international teams.

GIG aims to promote better environments in developing countries and in countries that traditionally produce technology to be more sustainable and inclusive. GIG engages in policy dialogues and aims to support community members in lobbying their governments to create policy frameworks that foster innovation and grass-roots technology development.

GIG aims to represent members interests by acting as an interface between governments, donors and innovation spaces. GIG provides a connection and entry point for partners, encouraging an open dialogue around developing suitable programs and support structures.

Code of Conduct

We are a network of trust. We exist to share, collaborate and work together globally. With GIG, we are pursuing a new vision for global cooperation based on equality, openness and sharing. Our conduct is guided by the desire to help each other to create an inclusive, encouraging, supportive, uplifting and diverse environment free of intimidation and harassment.

We ask that your conduct be guided by the desire to join us in creating and keeping an inclusive, encouraging, and diverse environment free of intimidation and harassment. Comments, actions, or visual displays which demean, harass, or insult others are not permitted. This includes targeting a person’s race, creed, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or ability.

The following procedure is to be implemented in case of any discomfort by any of our members:

• Report a case:
  If another GIG member causes you to feel uncomfortable, speak to a GIG board or supervisory board member or email us at [email protected]
• Hearing:
  One of the board or supervisory board members will reach out to the reported person and offer a hearing to three (3) members of the board or supervisory board.
• Solution:
  • The case is rested once the situation is explained to all people involved and the positive environment can be restored through an apology for the discomfort caused, and the person promises to change behaviour; or
  • The person leaves the GIG network. Should (a) not be possible, the person leaves the GIG network and is removed from all GIG network contact points.

As a member of our network, we ask that you adhere to our code of conduct. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact a GIG member or email us at [email protected].

Statutes: English – Deutsch