Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)

Sida is a government agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government, with the mission to reduce poverty in the world. Through their work and in cooperation with others, they contribute to implementing Sweden’s Policy for Global Development (PGU). They carry out enhanced development cooperation with a total of 35 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The selection of cooperation countries are based on political decisions made by the Swedish government.

Work supported:

  • Core funding for APC Strategic Plan (2020-2023)

  • Connecting the unconnected: Supporting community networks and other community-based connectivity initiatives

  • Core funding for APC Strategic Plan (2016-2019)

  • Core funding for APC Strategic Plan (2013-2016)

  • Global Information Society Watch (2008-2011)

  • Internet Rights Are Human Rights (2010-2012)

  • Placement of trainee staff through Bilateral Associate Expert Training Programme (2010-2011)

  • Study of Effects and Possibilities of ICT for Enhancement of Democracy with a Focus on Empowerment in East Africa (2008-2009)

Link: https://www.sida.se/Svenska/

Launching Routing for Communities: Our new podcast traces community connectivity around the world
Launching Routing for Communities: Our new podcast traces community connectivity around the world 01 June 2023 Débora Prado

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Routing for Communities podcast, with the first two of 12 episodes now out! These first two episodes take us to discover the work of innovative community networks in South Africa and Kenya.

Community networks newsletter: New podcast traces community connectivity around the world
Community networks newsletter: New podcast traces community connectivity around the world 24 May 2023 APCNews

We are happy to announce the launch of the Routing for Communities podcast on 1 June. With 12 episodes, this podcast will be a journey to listen to the life stories of those connecting themselves while defending the fundamental rights and well-being of their communities.

Failure and Promise: Anecdotes from the field on updating Universal Service Funds policies
Failure and Promise: Anecdotes from the field on updating Universal Service Funds policies 23 May 2023 Senka Hadzic and Jane Coffin

Many governments have established funds dedicated to expanding connectivity to underserved communities, so-called Universal Service Funds (USFs) or Universal Service and Access Funds (USAFs).  The purpose of the paper is to examine advocacy efforts led by civil society in selected countries that have led to systemic changes in local policies and regulations, with a specific focus on the us...

Community networks newsletter: Building collective knowledge together
Community networks newsletter: Building collective knowledge together 27 April 2023 APC News

In this edition, we celebrate the people and initiatives building collective knowledge together, such as the Community Network Seedbeds taking place in Argentina, and a series of manuals created from the collaboration among community network practitioners in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Manuals from communities of practice: A series to support community networks
Manuals from communities of practice: A series to support community networks 25 April 2023 Various

These five manuals are the result of communities of practice that brought together community network practitioners from diverse countries. They aim to support community networks on key issues such as solar energy, circular economies, bamboo infrastructure and more. 

Community networks newsletter: From recognition to action
Community networks newsletter: From recognition to action 30 March 2023 APCNews

Around the world, communities are building alternatives to bridge the digital divide. And their contribution has been recognised recently: in this edition, we can discover tangible examples. Welcome to the 56th monthly round-up of developments impacting your community-based initiatives.

Community networks in Latin America: Weaving dreams together
Community networks in Latin America: Weaving dreams together 17 March 2023 Débora Prado

A diverse range of people with different backgrounds are building community networks in many countries in the LAC region. They are demonstrating that community networks can be a process in which technologies, communications and access are moulded to meet local realities, dreams and needs.

Celebrating groundbreaking achievements led by communities
Celebrating groundbreaking achievements led by communities 23 February 2023 APCNews

Meet community-led initiatives showing how networks can be built recognising the protagonism and autonomy of the diverse people and in support of a worthwhile future. Welcome to the 55th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access and community-based initiatives.

Community networks newsletter: More than digital inclusion
Community networks newsletter: More than digital inclusion 26 January 2023 APC News

This first newsletter of 2023 features stories of important milestones from the community networks movement: diverse community initiatives flourishing in Asia, organisations seeding change around the world, the completion of the first-ever School of Community Networks in South Africa and more.

Igniting a renewed energy for our post-pandemic futures: GISWatch launch at the IGF
Igniting a renewed energy for our post-pandemic futures: GISWatch launch at the IGF 15 December 2022 Maja Romano

As we climb out of a pandemic that has redefined our advocacy priorities, the latest edition of GISWatch “ignites a renewed energy to reshape the sense of ‘us’ as a necessary force to imagine and work towards a digital future that we want in a post-pandemic world."

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