Beyond Bandwidth: Measuring the Social Impact of Community-Led Connectivity

• Community-centred connectivity initiatives (CCCIs) are vital for bridging the digital divide by providing internet access based on social purpose rather than profit.
• A new methodology has been developed to quantify the impact of these initiatives to counter claims that they are inefficient or lack measurable returns.
• The study, led by ISEA, APC, and Rhizomatica, combines Social Return on Investment (SROI) with Development Indexing (DI).

Methodology and Objectives

• The research seeks to create a robust evidence base for policy investment in digital inclusion.
• SROI and DI metrics are integrated to capture the broader social, cultural, and economic benefits generated by community-led networks.

Case Studies

• The methodology was applied to four established CCCIs:
  • Kasepuhan Ciptagelar (West Java, Indonesia)
  • Pathardi (Maharashtra, India)
  • TandaNet (Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya)
  • Zenzeleni Networks (Eastern Cape, South Africa)