Founder's Note
In today’s digital world, the gap between the connected and the unconnected continues to grow. While technology has immense potential, millions on the margins still struggle to access it. To be precise, about 75 percent of the Indian population are not meaningfully connected.
Highlights of 2025!
What We Achieved in 2025
690 new SoochnaPreneur centers established
425 women entrepreneurs were enabled as SoochnaPreneurs
178 Persons with Disabilities were connected to entrepreneurship
Scaled the Wireless for Communities (W4c) initiative to 111 extra locations
Museum of Digital Society has been established in Puducherry
GI Park showcasing the artisanal history of GI clusters in Puducherry
Expanded activities in Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa
Writing became an important way of making sense of the year. Our publications including research reports, books, articles, policy briefs, detailed studies, and impact reports brought together insights from community work, research, and policy dialogues. They translate everyday digital experiences into broader reflections on rights, governance, and inclusion.
NetChakra 2.0 – 40 Years Chronology of Internet in India
The Himalayan Digital Hurdle: What Limits Rural Pithoragarh’s Access to Digital Spaces
Pathways to Inclusion: Advancing Civil Society’s Role in AI Governance – Evidence from and for the Global Majority
Death by Data: The Human Cost of Digital Governance
When the Camera Rolled
This year, the camera followed our work across conversations, community voices, events, and on-ground realities, offering a closer look at the people, places, and ideas that shaped our work through the year.
Transforming GI Destinations: A Digital Revolution in Tamil Nadu
Advanced internet infrastructure in 10 villages of Uttarakhand II Wireless Aid Community Network
Internet Roshni for the Vulnerable Tea Tribes in India
Burning Wires, Broken hand: Labour Behind India’s E-Waste Hub | Seelampur Documentary
Museum of Digital Society
Mic Check!
Transform the Platform brought together six Instagram Live sessions and six powerful conversations. Each episode featured changemakers, digital rights advocates, and voices from civil society, unpacking critical questions around platform accountability and the real-world impact of digital platforms.
Tracing the journey from dial-up connections to today’s digital platforms, this upcoming podcast series unpacks 30 years of the internet, exploring how it has shaped society, communities, remote regions, gender realities, opportunities, and future possibilities. Coming soon. Stay tuned!
Events We Hosted & Joined
On the Global Stage
Where Youth Meets the Grassroots
To every community and partner who journeyed with DEF in 2025, thank you! Together, we achieved a lot, and 2026 holds the promise of going even further, reaching more people, and empowering more voices through technology.
