Free Knowledge InstituteFeb 26

Given the #DigitalCoup and the urgency to transition to #DigitalAutonomy, we’re building up the https://DemocraticTech.Fund. It is a networked approach, aiming to increase our collective capacity, to discover the tech that is already available to us, to deploy it in ways that we can own it, to share learnings of the transition, to move there together, so we can overcome network effects.

It is our intention to identify together the gaps of what is needed to make the transition, to fund that collectively. This can be tech, media to raise awareness for the positive alternatives already out there, and federating our communities. We’re starting as civil society, and we intent to invite institutions – public and private – to chip in and multiply the contributions. Together we can make the impact that is needed.

#DemocraticTechFund #dtf

Show threadGert V 🇵🇸

@fkinstitute re: to chip in and multiply the contributions.

Private institutions will either say don't call us, we'll call you, or ask what is in it for them. Are you going to hand them free software to profit from?

Democratic capitalism really doesn't exist, the term is always questionable.

Feb 26 at 12:03pmWeb
Show threadWouter Tebbens ⁂Feb 26

Hi @gert @fkinstitute, valid question of course. Given how the Googles and Facebooks of this world have benefitted from collective developments in the commons like GNU/Linux and so much more, without giving back too much really.

We need to take care that we avoid that trap while building up our collective resilience.

I think that we have two things to offer on this front: 1) focus on those 'gaps' or needs that we identify collectively that are important for our communities, 2) thinking of the fascinating match funding experience of Goteo. What they did with e.g. the City of BCN and also with several universities. They defined together what was needed in their community, made a Call, selected projects who then campaigned on https://Goteo.org. For every Euro brought in by citizens, the matcher doubles it. Goteo has mobilised > 24 million Euro, check them out. We seek to establish this kind of matchfunding programmes, designed by the communities themselves, around shared needs.

Goteo.org :: Crowdfunding the commons

Goteo es la red abierta de crowdfunding, colaboraciones y formación, líder en proyectos de innovación social. Con 2 rondas y ventajas fiscales para donantes!

Show threadGert V 🇵🇸Feb 26
@Wtebbens @fkinstitute Yes that seems valid evidence to me. Good to highlight this, thx.