Unite local efforts for
a global voice for Community Networks
To help these networks grow and thrive, we also need to pay attention to:
- Supportive legal and policy environments
- Community governance models that reflect shared values
- Technical enablers such as community IXPs, local interconnection, and open-source-based services
- Self-hosted applications that serve real community needs
Together, these elements form a strong and resilient foundation. One that deserves recognition, visibility, and coordination on a global scale.
Now’s time to join the
Special Interest Group (SIG) Initiative at ISOC
Many of our initiatives are like individual sticks — valuable together but vulnerable standing alone. When we come together under a shared roof — a structure like the Internet Society — we form something stronger, more visible, and harder to break.
As the old fable says:
“One stick breaks easily, but a bundle cannot be broken.”
That’s why we’re proposing Community Networks as a Special Interest Group (SIG) Topic for ISOC 2026–2027 — with all the supporting pieces that make these efforts sustainable.
Help now shaping the Community Network SIG
until 31 August 2025!
- If you are not already an individual member of the Internet Society (ISOC), become an ISOC member.
- As an ISOC member, join the Special Interest Group Open Community Portal and become a founding member of our Community Networks/Community Infrastructure SIG.
- In the forum, take part in forming and supporting a representative leadership team (Lead Facilitator, Facilitator, Secretary, Board Member(s))
- With the facilitator team, we must complete the Topic Proposal Template to form our SIG by 31 August 2025.
Discuss and vote for the
Community Network SIG
- Participate in two question-and-answer sessions on 25 September and 16 October 2025
- Vote! from 17 to 31 October 2025. The five topics with the most votes will become the 2026–2027 SIGs.
Let's make Community Networks an important voice for internet freedom.
© 2025 Community Networks SIG Initiative | Imprint