Self-Sustaining Financing Solutions for Community Connectivity Unveiled at IGF 2025

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 witnessed the launch of a groundbreaking publication titled ‘Self-sustaining financing solutions for Community Connectivity’. This book, a product of the Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity (DC3), provides a comprehensive framework to fund and scale community-centered connectivity initiatives (CCCIs). Drawing from global experiences and in-depth case studies, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region, the book represents a crucial resource for policymakers, community network operators, researchers, and private-sector stakeholders invested in sustainable and inclusive connectivity solutions.

The Cornerstone of Community Connectivity

Community Networks (CNs) serve as the backbone of CCCIs. Unlike traditional Internet Service Providers, these initiatives are mission-driven endeavors prioritizing community empowerment over profit. By developing network infrastructure through bottom-up collaboration, CCCIs address the unique connectivity requirements of underserved populations. What sets CCCIs apart is their dual focus on delivering meaningful internet access and fostering socioeconomic development within their communities.

The first chapter of the book introduces a detailed typology for analyzing CCCIs. This typology takes into account key attributes such as legal structure, geographic focus, management style, and sustainability models, offering a flexible yet insightful approach to comparing diverse initiatives. It enables both practitioners and policymakers to harness lessons from other successful projects, paving the way for strategic regulatory frameworks that support CCCIs’ goals of inclusive growth and connectivity.

Measuring the Impact of CCCIs: Beyond the Digital Divide

While the primary mission of CCCIs is to ‘make life better,’ quantifying their impact can be challenging. Chapters two and three of the book delve into methodologies like Development Indexing (DI) and Social Return on Investment (SROI) to objectively measure their effectiveness. These approaches evaluate both tangible and intangible benefits, such as improved education outcomes, enhanced social cohesion, and increased household assets.

By identifying six common themes across CCCIs, including inclusive human development and improved economic conditions, the book establishes key performance indicators that highlight their broader societal impact. For example, educational achievements and adaptive farming techniques powered by technology serve as measurable benchmarks in assessing community wellbeing. This data-driven framework not only demonstrates the value created by CCCIs but also helps attract essential financial and technical contributions to sustain their growth.

Overcoming Financial and Technical Barriers

The latter chapters of the book spotlight the critical need for strategic financing and technical expertise to bolster CCCIs. Often, these initiatives rely on hybrid networking models combining fiber optics, Wi-Fi, and solar-powered mesh technologies, operating in challenging environments with limited redundancy and resilience. The book emphasizes that enhancing technical capacity—including network automation and disaster mitigation measures—is key to unlocking scalable investment opportunities for these networks.

Additionally, ‘network technical risk’ is identified as a significant obstacle, with many CCCIs struggling to attract funding due to infrastructure vulnerabilities. Overcoming these challenges requires a coordinated effort from diverse stakeholders, including technical experts who can help fortify the networks’ operational maturity. The book underscores that collaboration between policymakers, investors, and community leaders is indispensable to bridge the digital divide sustainably.

A Call to Action for the Internet Community

The publication aligns with the broader mission of addressing the global digital divide, emphasizing that the issue is not technological limitations but a lack of suitable financial structures and technical support. By equipping CCCIs with the resources needed to scale, the book inspires action among individuals and organizations. It encourages readers to identify CCCIs in their communities and inquire about how they can contribute—whether through funding, technical assistance, or advocacy efforts.

‘Self-sustaining financing solutions for Community Connectivity’ is a vital resource for anyone interested in sustainable development, community empowerment, and innovative connectivity solutions. The book is available for download, offering valuable insights to drive the future of community-driven digital infrastructure. Together, these efforts have the power to create a more inclusive and connected world.