I like how Yosser is evaluating the geopolitical role of OurGhema
So I’ll add a bit about what I see as the big trends and developments that should inform the strategy for a network of spaces, and for one space caring about local development.
First, civilization of the kind we have in Europe and the U.S. has become stuck. This is a dead-end road as it ends in ecological destruction, industrial efficiency used only to produce waste and high levels of wealth and power inequality. Further, historical examples show that complex societies at the end of their “development” are hard to steer and there is a distinct probability that these societies will collapse under the weight of their own social complexity.
Tunisia and the MENA region in general is still before that stage and can choose its path wisely. If a network of grassroots innovation spaces would want to contribute to that, then green living, climate change reversal, sustainability innovations, resource efficiency, degrowth and so on are important themes that will not go away in the decades to come but will only grow in importance and urgency. It’s the same theme as before for Open Village (“making the good life happen”), just with the realization that this can only be done with an ecological approach.
With that kind of theme, Edgeryders’ planned Reef 2.0 space would be another member of the network already. Also there is COACT Lab which might want to join, itself being part of the very impressive Valldaura Labs near Barcelona.