The Global Innovation Gathering (GIG), a topic developed by re:publica, brings together innovation hub managers, makers, hackers and entrepreneurs from across the world. In the last five years GIG has become a central part of the conference programme, showcasing tech innovation and maker projects from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The GIG members have formed a strong community, exchanging information and expertise on innovation and maker issues throughout the year.

At re:publica 2018 GIG will once again come together for its sixth annual gathering; its members will take over the re:publica stages on numerous occasions during the three event days. Like in the last years, GIG will host a pop-up Makerspace together with the FabLab Berlin where participants can learn about innovation in hardware, tinker, solder and get their hands sticky in various workshops.

re:publica 2018's GIG Event Programme

2018 GIG is taking place in collaboration with the StartUp Asia Berlin project, supported by the City of Berlin, and GIZ. Over 20 different nationalities will be hosting talks and workshops, a part of them submissions from the Call for Participation. The programme also covers current and global political developments and discusses various issues such as the prevailing debate on online hate speech and how to mitigate it, in particular in conflict regions such as South Sudan.

The GIG Makerspace in 2018

The heart of GIG at re:publica 2018 is the makerspace, hosted in collaboration with FabLab Berlin. At the makerspace we will run workshops throughout the day, enabling re:publica participants to experience the world of hardware innovation. With a particular focus on open health, biohacking, music and fashiontech the makerspace will feature projects from the FabLab Berlin and GIG community.