GLOBAL INNOVATION GATHERING EV

Their core work

Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) is a Berlin-based network and association that connects grassroots innovators, makers, and community-driven tech initiatives across continents. They specialize in bridging maker culture with social science research — studying how makerspaces, digital fabrication, and citizen-led innovation can address real societal challenges. Their H2020 work spans open healthcare solutions built through digital fabrication, citizen social science for collective action, and building African-European maker ecosystems. In practice, they bring the voice and methods of grassroots maker communities into formal EU research projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

GIG's early H2020 work (2018-2020) centered on citizen social science and collective action — using participatory methods where communities co-design research alongside academics. From 2021 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward the maker movement itself: studying makerspaces, grassroots innovation ecosystems, gender inclusion in maker communities, and building intercontinental maker networks. The trajectory shows a move from general participatory research methods toward becoming a specialized authority on maker culture and its societal impact.

GIG is positioning itself as the go-to connector between grassroots maker/fab lab communities and formal research institutions, with growing emphasis on Africa-Europe innovation corridors.

How they like to work

GIG always participates as a partner rather than leading consortia, which fits their role as a community network that brings grassroots perspectives into researcher-led projects. With 27 unique partners across 13 countries in just 4 projects, they work in diverse, medium-to-large consortia and rarely repeat partners — suggesting they are valued for the specific community access and maker-network expertise they bring to each new project. They function as a bridge organization: connecting formal research teams to informal innovation communities that would otherwise be hard to reach.

GIG has collaborated with 27 distinct partners across 13 countries in only 4 projects, indicating unusually wide network reach for a small organization. Their geographic spread reflects both European research networks and, through the mAkE project, connections into African maker communities.

What sets them apart

GIG occupies a rare niche: they are one of very few organizations that can formally represent grassroots maker and fab lab communities within EU research consortia. While universities study maker culture from the outside, GIG is embedded in it — they are the network itself. For any consortium that needs authentic engagement with maker communities, citizen innovators, or Global South tech hubs, GIG is a credible and experienced partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• mAkE
  Their largest funded project (EUR 394,500) and a distinctive Africa-Europe maker ecosystem initiative — signals their expanding intercontinental scope.
• CoAct
  A methodologically rich citizen social science project exploring co-design and collective action, demonstrating GIG's capacity for participatory research beyond just maker spaces.
• Critical Making
  Directly studies responsible research and innovation principles within the maker movement, including gender and inclusivity — core to GIG's identity.