2025 Global Gathering Applications Are Now Open!

The image shows the Call for Applications for the 2025 Global Gathering digital flyer with black, light blue, yellow and pink colors

📅 Date: September 8–10, 2025

📍 Location: Estoril, Portugal

🔗 Apply: https://gathering.digitalrights.community

Deadline to Apply: May 31, 2025

Applications for the 2025 Global Gathering (GG) are now open! Join us in Estoril, Portugal, from September 8–10, for three days of networking and collaboration on the most urgent technology-related challenges affecting human rights, civil society, and journalists at local, regional, and global levels.

With participants representing over 144 countries and 1,000 organizations and networks, the GG provides a rejuvenating environment to foster solidarity across disciplines and regions. The gathering’s humane design, unique outdoor venue, and robust security and safety protocols have been celebrated for fostering authentic trust-building and catalyzing impactful coalitions.

Examples of issues participants work on include: holistic digital security of journalists and civil society, counteracting online censorship and surveillance, grassroots approaches to AI, disinformation, climate and tech, and internet governance, among others.

In 2025, we are returning to our roots by embracing a more self-organized model, allowing participants to lead the most critical and practical conversations that will advance their work and goals, with a special focus on the following areas: innovative grassroots approaches to technology challenges; circumvention and secure communication technologies; and organizational sustainability.

We encourage everyone interested in attending to apply, as we are being flexible with the event’s size to ensure everyone has a safe and secure space to connect with others!


 

Who Should Apply to the GG

The GG has an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and regions. We encourage applications from the following profiles: 

  • Civil Society, Grassroots Networks, and Journalists
    Individuals facing acute digital rights and security challenges due to their work.

  • Public Interest and Open Source Technologists
    Especially toolmakers of circumvention technologies and secure communication platforms, and community-led infrastructure specialists.

  • Cybersecurity Specialists & Digital Security Trainers
    Experts addressing emerging threats, particularly those impacting civil society, journalists, and citizens.

  • Researchers and Policy Advocates
    Individuals working on digital harms, disinformation, artificial intelligence, internet measurement and governance, and other tech-related areas.

  • Funders Investing in Civil Tech and Security
    Funders that attend the GG are at the forefront of investment in tech-related challenges and have historically played a crucial role in advising new funders.

 

“The gathering is a space where pause becomes power, where every conversation weaves new bridges, where inspiration flows naturally... A space of solidarity, where we remember that digital rights are not about codes and protocols but about the shared vision of those who dream of a more just and human digital world.”


Themes & Format: Back to Basics

This year, we are going back to our roots, embracing a self-organized model to ensure conversations are driven by participants’ most pressing needs and challenges. Programming activities include:

  • Meetups & Circles
    While Team CommUNITY will be coordinating a select number of topical and regional networking meetups, participants will be provided with tools to coordinate self-organized “Circles” or collaborative discussions. Note: Instructions will be shared after participants have been verified and accepted.

  • Villages & Private Events
    Partners will be provided with space to host their own public and/or private events via more robust Village areas. If you are interested in this option, please reach out to us as soon as possible by emailing gather@digitalrights.community. Additionally, we will be working with trusted community nodes to coordinate regional villages, where participants can host more locally-focused discussions.

  • Booths
    Projects will have the opportunity to host a booth in one of the numerous permanent structures available at the venue. Booths are great for showcasing work, demoing a tool, running a skillshare, or having one-to-one conversations with participants.

 

Partnerships Opportunities

The Global Gathering is an unparalleled networking opportunity, bringing together global leaders working on some of the most urgent technological challenges impacting society.

This year, partners have the opportunity to host their own private or public events in Village spaces. Interested? Reach out: gather@digitalrights.community

 

Visas, Security, Travel Support, and More

If you need a Schengen Visa, we highly encourage you to schedule a visa appointment at your local Portuguese consulate or embassy as soon as possible because of long wait times. Our team of lawyers and security specialists can assist with any issues, so reach out as soon as your GG ticket is approved at visa@digitalrights.community

Important Update on Travel Support
Due to the ongoing impact of the foreign aid freeze, Team CommUNITY will not have an open application process for travel support. This is to ensure that critical visa, security, and well-being support remain available for 2025 event attendees. We remain committed to helping all participants explore alternative funding options.

 

📢 Apply Now: https://gathering.digitalrights.community

📅 Deadline: May 31, 2025


The Venue in Pictures

The completely outdoor venue provides a rejuvenating experience, while being completely secure and protected.

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