Grassroots internet governance faces crossroads at IGF 2025
Under mounting pressure to professionalise without compromising their grassroots spirit, internet governance initiatives are searching for new models that balance passion, funding, and long-term legitimacy.
At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, the IGF Support Association convened a critical session addressing the long-term sustainability of National and Regional Internet Initiatives (NRIs). With over 170 NRIs worldwide playing a key role in connecting local voices to global internet policy, participants discussed how a potential renewal of the IGF’s UN mandate might influence their operations.
While many, including internet pioneer Vint Cerf, welcomed the idea of institutional stability through UN backing, most agreed it wouldn’t automatically resolve the chronic funding and legitimacy challenges NRIs face on the ground. A recurring concern was the disconnect between expectations and resources.
After nearly two decades, most NRIs still operate on volunteer labour despite being expected to deliver professional-level outcomes. Sandra Hoferichter of EuroDIG warned that this grassroots model is reaching a breaking point, echoing others who called for more stable secretariats and professional staffing.
Joyce Chen and Fiona Asonga emphasised the importance of formalising multistakeholder teams to prevent initiatives from collapsing when key individuals depart. Funding strategies were a central theme, with diverse models discussed—from partnerships with ccTLD managers and technical communities to modest support from national governments.
Yet securing sustainable private sector investment remains difficult, partly because the IGF’s non-decisional format makes it a harder sell to business. Several speakers stressed the need to articulate clear value propositions, especially for big tech companies that benefit from an open and stable internet but often contribute little to maintaining its governance structures.
The session closed with a consensus that real sustainability demands more than money: NRIs need legitimacy, inclusivity, and a deeper integration with national policymaking. Proposals ranged from establishing parliamentary tracks to expanding sub-national IGFs, all with the aim of grounding internet governance in local realities while keeping it globally connected.
Why does it matter?
Despite unresolved questions, the mood remained constructive, with calls to continue the conversation and co-develop innovative models for the next chapter of grassroots digital governance.
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