Supported by a new national strategy, community networks in South Africa have an opportunity to make their voices heard in spaces where connectivity is regulated – spaces historically difficult to access for them.

The South Africa School of Digital Policy (ZASDIP 2026/CN) is helping turn lived experience into policy influence – equipping communities with the tools to advocate, engage and lead.

Read more 👉https://www.apc.org/en/news/community-networks-shaping-policies-digital-inclusion-south-africa

#DigitalInclusion #CommunityNetworks #SouthAfrica #DigitalPolicy

The South Africa School for Digital Policy / Community Networks edition (ZASDIP 2026/CN) will host its first cohort from 12 to 16 April 2026 in Johannesburg.

This edition of ZASDIP will help amplify largely unheard voices, inspiring communities to shape digital policy while ensuring South Africa’s digital transformation becomes inclusive, equitable and participatory.

Learn more here https://www.apc.org/en/project/south-africa-school-digital-policy-2026-community-networks-edition-zasdip-2026cn

#DigitalInclusion
#CommunityNetworks #DigitalPolicy #ZASDIP #SouthAfrica

>>> Bootcamps allow communities to engage in practical hands-on learnings, bringing together regional experiences that enrich the collective capacity building process, alongside representatives from organisations and institutions supporting these initiatives.

🙌 Explore the journeys of the recent blended training bootcamps developed in Africa and Latin America.

👉 https://www.apc.org/en/news/blended-training-building-sustainable-networks-through-shared-learning-afric

👉 https://www.apc.org/es/news/habilitar-una-politica-publica-con-rostro-humano-para-cerrar-la-brecha-digital-0

#blendedtraining #communitynetworks

"Community-centred connectivity initiatives build technical capacity in the community to maintain and operate infrastructure or services, and the digital capacity of users to make informed decisions about their internet use – benefiting from social and economic opportunities online, and strengthening community resilience to external shocks (...)".

Explore the Principles for community-centred connectivity here 👉 https://www.apc.org/en/pubs/principles-community-centred-connectivity-initiatives.

#capacitybuilding #digitalinclusion #communitynetworks

📶 Community infrastructure, mutable protocols, mesh networks…

Independent and self-sovereign communication is more compelling than ever.

Watch the recording of our latest meetup with Jacob Sayles, @gwil, and Mathias Jud.

https://archive.org/details/dweb-virtual-meetup-mar-2026-p2p-mesh/GMT20260326-170134_Recording_2560x1440.mp4

#DWeb #Willow #qaul #MeshNetworks #MeshCore #Meshtastic #communityNetworks

Across different regions, community-led initiatives are developing diverse strategies to build the technical, social, economic and political capacities needed to sustain their projects.

Capacity building is an ongoing challenge, but also a collective opportunity to improve practices, reinforce collaboration and continue expanding community-driven paths toward meaningful connectivity.

#communitynetworks #capacitybuilding #digitalinclusion

::: A new edition of the Community Networks Newsletter is out! This issue spotlights recent capacity-building initiatives driving community-centred connectivity, including blended training bootcamps in Africa and Latin America.

::: Find stories from the ground, advocacy efforts for enabling policies, a curated agenda of upcoming events and funding opportunities.

::: Join us and read it here:
https://www.apc.org/en/news/community-networks-newsletter-capacity-building-core-community-centred-connectivity

#CommunityNetworks #CommunityConnectivity #blendedtraining #DigitalInclusion

Wow! VERY cool tool to help with the initial planning of a network to bring #Internet access to a community with a community-centered focus:

https://locnet.io/

(look at "Quick Start Guide" in upper right)

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The Community Network Builder is an application that helps you estimate and understand the cost of building and operating a community network anywhere in the world.
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Great resource for people to plan the economics.

#IETF #IETF125 #GAIA #CommunityNetworks #InternetAccess

WEBCAST MAR 19 – High-Density, High Impact: Connecting Apartment Buildings, Public Housing and Multi-Dwelling Units

LIVESTREAM | REGISTER | ADD TO CALENDAR | PERMALINK

On Thursday March 19, 2026, at 12pm - 1pm EDT (16:00-17:00 UTC) the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) Community Broadband Networks Initiative will host a webinar 'High-Den

https://isoc.live/20355/

#post #2006 #aapb #CommunityNetworks #GigiSohn #ilsr