#ASKnet is a cross-border consortium of community driven organizations. The network provides access to a range of open source knowledge and information, media and IT related training as well as community oriented hands-on skills.
A connected, creative, and open society where knowledge flows freely, empowering communities to shape their own futures by building a transformative and sustainable media ecosystem.
#ASKnet builds bridges between media, technology, and community action. We strengthen youth-led innovation, share open knowledge, and grow local capacity through peer to peer training, open tech innovation, collaboration, and creativity across borders.
Born from a network of South Sudanese innovators, #ASKnet links community hubs and changemakers across the region. Together, we use media, technology, and peer learning to solve local challenges, create livelihoods, and amplify community voices.
Supported by r0g_agency (Berlin) and Hive Colab (Kampala), with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), 2022–2025.
We connect people and ideas to build resilient, knowledge-sharing communities, from towns and villages to refugee settlements.
We foster media literacy and storytelling that strengthen accountability, civic engagement, and peacebuilding.
We champion open access to tools, resources, and skills. Sharing knowledge creates pathways to new opportunities, entrepreneurship, livelihood, equality and collaboration.
The member organizations have a community-led focus and contribute to strengthening civil society structures in South Sudan, while creating a basis for strengthened communication and cooperation, especially between communities of refugees in neighbouring countries together with those in South Sudan.
Are you interested in becoming a member? Get in contact with us!
Building on the context from which #ASKnet emerged as an initiative for improved access to information, media literacy and proactive peacebuilding, a cross-border network of peers and experts is now evolving into an independent, self-sufficient network.
Community media trainings with participants from around South Sudan drafted and signed a Charter of Common Values, sparking the creation of the Juba Open Knowledge & Innovation Hub (jHUB) and co-creation of the first #peacehackcamp in South Sudan.
As conflict spreads, members relocate across East Africa, developing the #ASKotec kit and planting the seeds of today’s #ASKnet.
New informal organisations are established and launched by former jHUB members to create local hubs and teach skills in local contexts and refugee settlements, such as Rhino Camp in Northern Uganda, and towns in South Sudan such as Bor.
#ASKnet takes shape as an informal collaboration of media makers and open tech innovators across the region. A first collective training session on Media, IT, Open Tech innovation and repair culture held in Rhino Camp South Sudanese refugee settlement.
Six legally registered hubs unite as the first #ASKnet collective; in collaboration with the Global Innovation Gathering (GIG) first international #ASKsummit (DOTS) held in Kenya.
In response to COVID-19, #ASKnet shifts to online training and mentoring to connect media and tech hubs across borders with the emerging community of #ASKnet experts.
Hubs expand community programs and life skills trainings in South Sudan and Uganda. The “Labmobile” is launched at Rhino Camp, and #ROSHOP modular housing prototype at Pagirinya Refugee Settlement in Uganda joins the expanding resources and programs.
#ASKnet formalizes as an international consortium, a self-governed, inclusive cross-border network of South Sudanese led youth-led media and innovation hubs.
New partnerships and open culture initiatives strengthen collaboration and OER development across the network, and the launch of the #ASKtraining platform.
#ASKnet grows to 13 member organisations, each advancing local independence and innovation within their communities.
The network continues to expand, welcoming new communities to co-create, collaborate, and share open knowledge for resilience, empowerment and transformation.
For general information about the network please contact our #ASKnet – Network Coordination in Juba by email:
#ASKnet is supported by r0g_agency (Berlin, Germany) and Hive Colab (Kampala, Uganda) as implementing partners.
#ASKnet 2022-2025 is funded by the German Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ).
