Gathering Defenders at the Intersection of Technology and Rights
Apply to Join the 2026 Global Gathering!
When: September 4, 5, and 6, 2026
Where: Estoril, Portugal
Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2026
IMPORTANT NOTE: Not 100% sure you can attend? Please apply anyway - you can always cancel your attendance. We highly recommend that you apply as soon as possible, as applications go through a rigorous vetting and review process for security reasons. This year we will NOT accept any applications AFTER the official deadline.
The Global Gathering brings together groups throughout the world working on the most urgent technology-related challenges affecting human rights, social justice, civil society, and journalism at the local, regional and global levels.
The gathering’s humane design, unique outdoor venue, and robust security and safety protocols have been celebrated for fostering authentic trust-building and catalyzing impactful coalitions across borders, disciplines, and communities.
Examples of issues participants work on: holistic digital security and protection of civil society; counteracting online censorship and surveillance; community-focused approaches to issues like AI, disinformation, internet policy and governance, climate and tech; among others.
What’s New in 2026 Edition
For the 2026 edition, we are re-launching the Equity Fund, after a quick pause in 2025. Additionally, we are making a concentrated effort to bring in resources and organizations that can help address current funding challenges in the digital rights ecosystem. Most importantly, we are enhancing our programming with some changes that will allow participants to better use the GG to advance their goals, and improve capacity with more skillshares. You can read about those changes further down in the application.
Reach out for more information: [email protected]
What to Expect:
- Community-lead design prioritizing networking, collaboration and knowledge sharing across borders.
- A unique outdoor venue surrounded by trees and steps away from the beaches of Estoril.
- Opportunities to meet hundreds of tool developers, organizations, and networks at the forefront of digital rights and security/protection for civil society.
- Numerous options to attend (or host) partner-lead satellite events such as workshops, network meetups, team retreats, topical sessions, and more.
- Programming covering diverse aspects of: security and protection; surveillance and censorship; disinformation; regional intelligence and network measurement; emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence; policy environments related to these issues; and, of course, the sustainability and health of our organizations and networks.
Understanding The Three Step Application and Ticketing Process
Step One: APPROVAL
After you submit your application, it will go through a vetting and review process in order to move forward to Step 2. Please give us four weeks to review your application.
The Global Gathering is a private event and in order to manage event size, professional and regional representation, and safety and security, all applications undergo a vetting and review process. Not all applications will be approved.
Step Two: PAYMENT
If your application is approved, you will receive an email notification and information on how to pay for your ticket, request a free ticket, and/or apply for Equity Fund support.
Step Three: TICKETING
Once payment has been received (or your request for a free ticket has been approved), you will receive an email with your “ticket” which will contain an Approval Code that is unique to you. You must present this Approval Code at the physical GG registration desk to receive your badge and enter the venue.