In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, access to information, technology, and data has become a critical enabler for societal progress. However, millions of people, especially in marginalised and underserved areas, continue to face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in the digital world. For these communities, digital access is often limited by issues such as poor infrastructure, low digital literacy, and inadequate resources. As a result, they miss out on opportunities for education, healthcare, economic development, and civic participation.

The Community Network Xchange (CNX) enters its 9th year, focusing on the theme ‘Meaningful Access, Data & Hyperlocal Communities‘ to promote a more inclusive approach to digital access and address ongoing challenges. It calls for solutions that are not only about connecting people to the internet but also ensuring that communities have the tools, knowledge, and resources to use technology meaningfully. Through CNX, we aim to empower communities to harness the power of data and digital tools to drive their own development and solve locally relevant challenges. By focusing on hyperlocal solutions, we can implement interventions that are responsive to the specific needs and contexts of each community.