Hubs
DCN Global Hubs are incubators, providing a physical and/or virtual space to creators working on social ideas and concepts connected to the digital revolution. Hubs can cover a region, country, subcontinent, or continent and be hosted in either American Corners or other spaces that encourage synergies and collaboration. In 2021 and 2022, DCN Global is planning to open hubs in Europe, Africa, Western Hemisphere and Asia, in addition to the existing ones in Southeast Europe, Ukraine (three regions) and Greece, the last one with support from CISCO. The goal is to encourage new and independent voices that are technologically and socially aware, to generate products, services, and content.
Hubs are open to DCN Global members and affiliates who seek access to information and collaboration for creative processes, using digital technology for social good. They are led by local members, benefiting from training and guidance provided by DCN Global. Their configuration is reflective of DCN’s goal to build coalitions of professionals in different fields and to contribute to a better information space and the social good. Hubs support professionals who have or can develop influence in fields of activity that can benefit because of the digital revolution from combating disinformation and extremism to fostering democracy, tolerance, and inclusivity. Hubs can also house digital campaigns and projects for other social good causes.
Any project entering the hub is vetted by a DCN advisory board, looking into compatibility, feasibility, and impact. Hubs offer participants opportunities to improve know-how, access to information about trends and opportunities, as well as taking advantage of DCN’s network for professional matchmaking and formation of creative teams.
Based on DCN’s multi-year experience, digital technologies contribute to progress, provided that the people envisioning social projects master the basics of digital literacy. Same goes for those developing digital tools who are eager to support good causes but need increased social awareness. These two convergent paths lead to the first function of the hubs.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
For those developing awareness of how digital technologies can support their ideas and social goals, Hubs’ sessions can include digital skills, computer security, empowering projects through social networks or the role of AI/AR. Similarly, digital developers and designers, gamers, and creators of new digital technologies get exposure to social causes to which they can contribute. Periodic joint trainings and community building meetups empower citizens and maximize the potential of new ideas and technologies.
NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION
Hubs support the formation of project teams, including – as it is the case with DCN Global as a whole – various areas of specialty, contributing to the development of incubated projects, services, and content. Creative teams will also benefit from mentorships, in-person and virtual, and connections with experts from the U.S. and other countries, made possible by DCN Global’s broad reach, through its interactive platform. The Hub will also help connect members with sources of financial support, as well as training and/or providing connections for marketing and PR, project development and leadership in the digital space. One of the most important functions of the network of Hubs developed by DCN Global is to ensure better involvement of local and regional actors in DCN Global.
PROJECT SCALING AND GLOBAL EXPOSURE
Projects developed locally will be supported to generate local impact. Selected projects, during an annual DCN Global IdeaFair can increase their scalability and become known globally, through a vigorous promotion campaign in the regions DCN Global is active. This represents a whole globe of possibilities for social entrepreneurs!
