The Internet Society Haiti Chapter was honored today with the 2025 WSIS Prizes Champion Award for its groundbreaking project, “Community Networks in Haiti,” during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) Forum in Geneva. The award recognizes its exceptional contribution to expanding Internet access in some of Haiti’s most underserved regions through community-led infrastructure.
Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the organization at a ceremony that convened global leaders, international organizations, private sector representatives, civil society members, and academics.
Back in 2019, volunteer members of the Haiti Chapter attended the Haiti Internet Governance Forum (IGF) that was focused on Internet connectivity. They became interested in learning more and traveled to India and other locations to learn about what other communities were doing. They launched a national survey to identify where in the country connectivity was needed the most.
Over the past two years, with support from the Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net grant program, the Internet Society Haiti Chapter has deployed a series of sustainable community networks across the country. Their work brought reliable Internet connectivity to more than 9,000 people in rural and remote areas — from students and teachers in Cap-Haïtien to small entrepreneurs in Grand Boucan, and public service users in Jacmel.
A locally driven response to a national challenge
Establishing Internet connectivity transformed local communities. Local schools now have reliable connectivity for digital learning, community members can communicate with relatives abroad, and professionals can access new economic opportunities. In places like Treille and La Savane, Internet access has become a bridge to education, information, and empowerment.
A defining feature of the project was its inclusive, locally rooted approach. The Internet Society Haiti Chapter partnered with universities, municipal governments, local NGOs, and community leaders to ensure networks were not only technically sound but also socially embedded. They trained dozens of local technicians and emphasized community ownership and long-term sustainability.
Resilience in the face of adversity
Despite the country’s ongoing political and security challenges, the team worked with remarkable adaptability — rerouting logistics through air travel when necessary and building localized implementation teams to ensure safety and continuity. Their ability to overcome these obstacles underscores the resilience and determination behind this award-winning initiative.
This project demonstrates the mission of the Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Program: empowering Internet Society chapters and local communities to develop and manage projects that leverage connectivity for social and economic growth.
We’re proud to have supported the Internet Society Haiti Chapter in this journey and extend our warmest congratulations for this well-deserved international recognition.
Let’s celebrate this achievement together and keep building a world where everyone, everywhere, can benefit from the Internet.