Founder's Note

Digital Empowerment Foundation started its journey in 2002, a time when technology and digital was in the hands of the few privileged, literally 1.5% of the population in the country. Back then the mission was to connect the unconnected and empower communities at the edge of information. In 2024, India’s internet penetration rate stands at 52.4% of the total population and empowering people in the age of information has become more important than ever.

What DEF & its community achieved in 2024

500,000 community members engaged in digital development initiatives

50,000 rural entrepreneurs were enabled with digital access and used digital to enhance their enterprises

We created a cadre of 2,000 rural women fact-checkers to fight misinformation and digital wrongs

1,000 new digital centres were established across rural India, bringing technology and opportunities closer to underserved communities

Digital Empowerment Foundation was a voice in global exchanges such as IGF, Requiem for Justice, CNX Nepal, APRIGF, APC Network Meet

We enabled artisans in GI locations with a new vertical that looks at digitising artisans with GI tags

ReDEF 2024- A Landmark Event for Rural Digital Entrepreneurship

Over the past 23 years, the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) has been at the forefront of empowering rural and underserved communities across India by cultivating a network of information providers...

Digital Artisans of India - Bridging Tradition with Digital Empowerment

Artisans alone are over 200 million in number in India, and hence exceeds the population of many nations, proving its huge cultural and economic value. Into this vibrant sector that lays a robust part of India’s legacy is diverse crafts...

JUST AI - Celebrating Ethical AI Innovations

Currently, the world is developing towards Artificial Intelligence, and this makes it essential to work towards an ethicai solution. The Just AI Awards, initiated by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) in 2024...

Digital Swaraj Fellowship– Empowering Youth for a Resilient Digital Ecosystem

The Digital Swaraj Fellowship (2024-25) Cohort II begins this year with a diverse group of 11 youth changemakers from across the country, contributing to reducing the digital divide through impactful research...

Museum of Digital Society- Learning to Serve Meaningfully

Digital is a 21st Century tool of communication, media, business, governance, activism and social norms. Digital isn’t merely technology—it’s life, a medium, innovation, and marketing. Yet, critical questions arise...

8th Community Network Xchange & 6th Digital Citizen Summit 2024

Community Network Xchange (CNX) 2024

Since its inception in 2017, CNX has championed community networks, addressing themes like public Wi-Fi access, meaningful connectivity, and social sustainability. The 8th edition, held on 15–16 November...

Digital Citizen Summit (DCS) 2024

The Digital Citizen Summit (DCS), initiated by the Digital Empowerment Foundation, is a global platform advocating for digital rights and accessible, meaningful Internet. Since 2016, DCS has explored the impact of digital...

Artists’ Impressions on Information Play

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Navigating Through Digital and Social Realities: Stories of Struggle, Hope and Resilience

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ICT for Empowering Accessibility/ Inclusion: The Impact of Digital Integration on the Lives of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

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Resource Mobilization Through Bricolage in Social Enterprises

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Imprints of Change

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An Exploratory Study of Adoption and Usage of Technology by Rural Women for Entrepreneurship and Empowerment

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Safeguarding Rural India Through Critical Digital Literacy

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Artists Impressions on Algorithm, AI and Platforms Accountability

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Digital Empowerment and Road Ahead

Looking back at 2024, digital technology has become an integral part of how we communicate, work, and celebrate culture. For 23 years, the Digital Empowerment Foundation has bridged the digital divide, empowering rural communities, supporting local artisans, and preserving cultural heritage. Yet, many remain disconnected, facing poverty, unemployment, and lack of education or healthcare. DEF remains dedicated to linking these marginali sed groups to technology, enabling opportunities for all in a world where anyone can thrive as an entrepreneur.

To get an in-depth insight into our work and impact, click here to explore the 2023-2024 Annual Report.

SPECIAL EDITION

Founder's Note

What DEF & its community achieved in 2024