Applications Now Open for the 2026 Global Gathering
Applications are now open for the 2026 Global Gathering!
When: September 4, 5, and 6, 2026
Where: Estoril, Portugal
Apply: https://gathering.digitalrights.community/
The Global Gathering brings together groups from around the world working on the most urgent tech-related challenges impacting human rights, social justice, civil society, and journalism.
The gathering’s humane design, unique outdoor venue, and robust safety and security protocols have been widely recognized for fostering meaningful trust-building and catalyzing impactful coalitions across borders. The venue also provides participants with a restorative environment, nestled under a canopy of trees and just steps away from beautiful beaches.
Not sure yet if you can attend? Apply anyway, read why:
We have a rigorous vetting process to ensure the security and safety of the event, which takes time. You can always let us know later if you are unable to attend. Additionally, please note that this year we will not be accepting applications after the deadline.
If you are part of a community experiencing digital threats…
Or working on key tech challenges impacting civil society groups, such as disinfo and AI…
… the Global Gathering is the perfect place to gain the knowledge, connections, and resources you need. More than 800 diverse organizations are represented every year, spanning diverse regions and disciplines.
🧭 Are you new to the Global Gathering, digital rights, or digital security? We want to support your onboarding! To schedule a one-to-one call, email us at gather@digitalrights.community.
Check out the following article reflecting the enriching and unique experience a participant had in 2025: A mesh of connections, care and community tech: Reflections from the Global Gathering 2025
⭐ What’s New This Year?
Like many groups working in rights spaces, in 2025 we were impacted by historic funding cuts, resulting in a reduction in capacity. To ensure we can focus on our most impactful work, we have adjusted the cadence of some programs and have prioritized those most needed by the community—especially the Global Gathering. Here are key updates:
🌈 Equity Fund Relaunched + Visa Support
We are relaunching the Equity Fund in 2026, after a brief pause in 2025. The fund supports travel, lodging, security, and visa assistance for individuals from at-risk communities or operating in low-resourced environments who would not be able to attend otherwise. If your application is approved, you will receive information about how to apply for the 2026 Equity Fund.
We continue strengthening our visa support for GG participants which includes official invitation letters, and guidance for visa rejection appeals. Please be sure to keep the Visa Support Team up to date with your visa application process so we can help as soon as you hit a roadblock and determine what support we are able to offer.
✨ More Opportunities for Partner Villages and Satellite Events
To ensure that the GG is a more effective tool in 2026, we are expanding opportunities for TCU Partners so they can better advance their work via:
🎪 Villages (community-led hubs focused on specific themes, regions or areas of practices); and
🧩 Satellite Events (private or public gatherings hosted by partners before, during or after the GG, such as private workshops, stakeholder meetups, team retreats, and more).
Reach out to learn more about these opportunities via email at gather@digitalrights.community.
🫶 Virtual Community-Building Programming (Pre-Event)
💬 Monthly Virtual Town Halls Focused on Socializing
In 2026, we will host monthly socializing town halls on our Mattermost instance, creating space for connection, cross-border collaboration, and intelligence-sharing. Town halls will take place every third Thursday of the month. The first one will be on January 22, 2026 at 14 UTC — mark your calendars!
🖥️ Virtual Knowledge-Share Workshops and Primers on Digital Rights Topics
We also will be hosting virtual knowledge-sharing workshops and producing content featuring projects within the ecosystem, as well as the inspirational people behind them. This includes security and privacy tools, and projects advancing important protection, digital security, advocacy, or research work in the following areas:
🌱 Holistic digital security and protection of civil society, movements, and journalism;
🌱 Countering online censorship and surveillance;
🌱 Community-focused approaches to AI, disinfo, internet governance, climate & tech, among others; and
🌱 Problem-solving around core challenges such as funding, infrastructure, and safety.
If you would like to be featured—or have suggestions—contact us at gather@digitalrights.community.
📰 Digital Rights Newsletter, Job Board, and Wiki Knowledge Center
We will continue publishing the weekly Digital Rights Newsletter and Job Board where community members can submit news and opportunities. We are also expanding our collection of primer articles to help new folks transition into the digital rights ecosystem and its community knowledge base.
⚙️Community Infrastructure Available
We continue offering Mattermost spaces for groups that want their own private areas on our platform, hosted by community-focused, best-in-breed Greenhost. This allows communities to focus on their work without worrying about infrastructure setup or maintenance. If you’re interested in using this service, please contact us.
📚The GG Wiki is Now Live!!!
The Global Gathering wiki is now live, featuring:
Updates about the event, including dates, program, and partnership opportunities;
Link to the application portal;
Customized visa and security support for participants;
Equity Fund information;
Hotel and transportation options; and
Guides for navigating Estoril and Portugal.
And much more! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Email us if you have any questions or concerns at gather@digitalrights.community!
Apply to the Global Gathering https://gathering.digitalrights.community/