In 2024, the NetHope community weathered numerous challenges around the world and delivered aid, relief, protection, and lifesaving services in the face of wrenching and ongoing humanitarian and climate-related crises. Climate-related disasters, particularly an intense hurricane season marked by Hurricane Beryl, also demanded swift action, with NetHope and its Members stepping in to respond. This community serves and succeeds in the face of difficulty, and that is because of the commitment to work through uncertainty every single day in the service of their—your—vitally important missions.
A new year brings with it the possibility of positive change and growth, and it can also open a new chapter of uncertainty. We can’t predict the future, but one thing we can say with some confidence is that the pace of change we saw in 2024 will continue to pick up, whether on the digital and data innovation front, or on the mission delivery front. As the pace of change accelerates, NetHope remains committed to evolving our offerings to Members to ensure that they are relevant and valuable for the mission at hand, and we are also committed to developing new kinds of programming to help the sector as a whole meet the higher bar that new challenges will require.
In 2025, NetHope will continue to deliver programs that drive impactful change, focusing on collaborative efforts that strengthen nonprofit capabilities globally. NetHope is continuing our work to support nonprofits in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI to ensure they can make informed decisions and harness the full potential of AI technologies safely, effectively, and equitably. Our new AI Skilling Accelerator supported by Microsoft, will empower nonprofits with on-demand AI skills and enhance collaboration with technology partners through understanding of nonprofit understanding, and capture valuable insights for future scaling.
Cisco's continued support for the Digital Breakthrough Initiative, will improve nonprofit emergency preparedness, digital protection, and climate resilience. So far, we have awarded six grants to Members for piloting and scaling innovative solutions, along with one grant focused on climate equity. This grant supports the development of digital tools to gather and amplify the voices of marginalized communities in Uganda through social media, aiming to enhance evidence-based climate responses. Launched earlier last year, the project has successfully captured the perspectives of over 1,700 community members in Yumbe District. The findings are revealing, highlighting the severe impacts of climate change on both refugee and host communities.
Our new partnership with Okta will enhance cybersecurity resilience across the nonprofit sector by unlocking more resources to strengthen the security posture and create a safer digital ecosystem for the billions of vulnerable people these organizations serve around the world. The Global Humanitarian ISAC will continue to serve as the central platform that enables governments, funders, technology companies, and other trusted providers to support the spectrum of security needs of nonprofits, delivering stronger protection of sensitive information and effective cyber defense supported by the Global Humanitarian ISAC Partner Collective.
We are piloting the Humanitarian Emergency Assessment and Response Tool (HEART), designed to support rapid-decision making during crises and enhance our ability to provide critical connectivity support to our Members during emergencies. We are also proud to launch the Digital Transformation for National, Regional, and Community-Based Nonprofit Organizations pilot course, aimed at empowering local nonprofits with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. This course adds to the *NetHope Digital Leadership Institute, an online learning platform dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
We are also proud to implement the Tana River Connectivity and Resilience Project, supported by the Internet Society Foundation, which empowers communities in Tana River County, Kenya, to become more resilient against natural disasters by building stronger communication networks, enhancing local skills, and implementing advanced Community Early Warning Systems to ensure communities are better equipped when faced with hazards.
As we saw at the 2024 Annual NetHope Global Summit, and as we saw in our Regional Chapter meetings around the world last year, when we get together and focus on a particular challenge, there is almost no problem that won’t yield in some way to the sheer creative talent and persistence that resides in this community. This year, our Regional Chapters have been exceptionally active, hosting meetings in Canada, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, and virtually. Our Working Groups continue to address the most pressing issues in nonprofit technology—ranging from AI governance and internet connectivity in disaster-affected areas to adapting global IT infrastructure in resource-constrained contexts and advancing IT and digital strategies that support the localization agenda. It is that innovative drive, that commitment to collective impact, and that sense that we can accomplish together what no one of us might alone, that people frequently comment on when they reflect on NetHope.
As we step into the new year, I invite you to reflect on the progress we’ve made together, recommit to joining in and with the NetHope Community, and embrace the optimism that comes from uniting for a common cause. Your contributions—whether through action, donations, or connection—are what make this community extraordinary.
2025 will no doubt demand more of us all, and we will need each other more, as colleagues, collaborators, and partners. NetHope is with you every step of the way as we find comfort in our shared purpose and new impact in our common commitments to the broader goals of international humanitarian and development work, and global conservation.
Together, we can deepen our impact, expand our reach, and bring innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Join us in strengthening this community, supporting our mission, and actively shaping the future we envision.
Wishing you a strong start to 2025, filled with purpose, resilience, and the quiet resolve to continue this journey together.
*The NetHope Digital Leadership Institute is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. The contents are the responsibility of NetHope and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance or the United States Government. The NetHope Digital Leadership Institute is also funded in part by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
