Written by Board Member Melissa Daley*
In an increasingly digital world, access to technology can determine opportunities in education, employment, and civic participation. Yet for millions, this access remains out of reach—whether due to cost, infrastructure, or systemic exclusion. Open-source technology offers a powerful solution by putting adaptable, affordable tools directly into the hands of underserved communities.
Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) is more than just free to use—it’s built on principles of transparency, collaboration, and adaptability. With no licensing restrictions, communities can modify software to fit local needs, ensuring technology serves them rather than the other way around. Below, we explore real-world examples of how open-source projects are closing the digital divide through education, localization, and community-driven innovation.
Offline Learning in Remote Areas: Kolibri & KA Lite
For students in areas with poor or no internet access, digital education can seem impossible. Yet projects like Kolibri (developed by Learning Equality) and its predecessor, KA Lite , demonstrate how open-source technology brings high-quality learning offline.
Kolibri provides an adaptable platform for educators to install digital lessons (including Khan Academy content) on low-cost devices like Raspberry Pi.
In rural India, NGO partners used Kolibri to supplement classroom teaching, reaching thousands of students without reliable internet.
Because it’s open-source, local educators translate content, add culturally relevant material, and share improvements globally. Unlike proprietary e-learning tools that require subscriptions or constant connectivity, Kolibri thrives with minimal infrastructure—a boon for marginalized schools.
Localized Digital Tools: Ushahidi & Crisis Response
When technology doesn’t reflect local languages or needs, it fails its users. Open-source platforms like Ushahidi (Swahili for “testimony” ) show how community-led adaptation makes tech truly inclusive.
Originally developed to map post-election violence in Kenya, Ushahidi’s crisis-mapping software has been repurposed worldwide—from tracking floods in Indonesia to coordinating disaster relief in Puerto Rico.
Because the code is open, NGOs customize it for regional dialects, low-bandwidth access, and SMS-based reporting where smartphones are scarce. These adaptations prove that open-source isn’t just about cost—it’s about agency .
Breaking Language Barriers: LibreOffice & Localization
Proprietary software often ignores minority languages, locking users out of digital participation. Projects like LibreOffice , the open-source office suite, counter this by empowering communities to localize software themselves. Volunteers have translated LibreOffice into over 100 languages—including marginalized tongues like Basque, Maori, and Quechua.By enabling linguistic inclusivity, FOSS ensures technology doesn’t reinforce exclusion.
Community Networks: Arguably the Most Open-Source Infrastructure
Where corporations won’t invest in rural broadband, communities build their own. Mesh networks —decentralized, open-source internet systems—demonstrate grassroots tech empowerment.
In Mexico, Rhizomatica supports Indigenous towns in launching their own mobile networks using open-source software like OpenBTS. The Altermundi project in Argentina helps villages create DIY Wi-Fi networks for education and telehealth. These networks aren’t just stopgaps—they’re sustainable, locally owned solutions that bypass dependency on profit-driven providers.
Open-Source as a Tool for Equity
The digital divide isn’t just about access to devices—it’s about who controls the technology . Open-source software shifts power by:
- Lowering Costs – No licensing fees mean more funds for training and hardware.
- Encouraging Adaptation – Local users tweak tools to fit their context.
- Building Sustainability – Knowledge stays within communities, reducing reliance on outside vendors.
From offline classrooms to crisis response, these examples show that when technology is open, communities reclaim their digital futures. The lesson? The best solutions don’t come from the top down—they grow from the ground up.
SOURCES:
- https://learningequality.org/kolibri/about-kolibri
- https://www.khanacademy.org
- https://www.ushahidi.com
- https://www.ushahidi.com/about/our-story
- https://www.ushahidi.com/about/blog/ushahidi-learning-from-puerto-ricans-experience
- https://www.libreoffice.org
- https://www.apc.org/en/users/altermundi#:~:text=AlterMundi%20is%20a%20civil%20association,in%20regulatory%20issues%20in%20Argentina.
*Written by Board Member Melissa Daley with the editing by AI
