An Exciting Outlook for 2025

Over the past nine years WeRobotics has leaned into adaptability, year by year, which has allowed us to learn more freely and change our plans as we go. This has been useful for us as a learning organization, allowing us to try new things and be agile in our response to challenges and opportunities. In 2025, WeRobotics is starting the year with a well-defined strategy. This milestone reflects both our growth as an organisation and the hard work and contributions of our team over 2023 and 2024, setting the stage for a focused and impactful year. 

In 2025, WeRobotics will prioritize fewer focus areas, allowing for deeper, more meaningful engagement. Each member of our team has clear responsibilities tied to these strategic areas, ensuring accountability and clarity in line with our Holacracy-inspired governance approach. While intentionality drives these efforts, flexibility remains to seize new opportunities if they align with our mission.

Here’s what lies ahead in our core focus areas.

1. Flying Labs Network

Stewardship of the Flying Labs Network remains our top priority and our core work. Our efforts in 2025 will emphasize both the quantitative and qualitative growth of the Network. We’ll enhance collaboration through the different regions and expertise hubs and also strengthen governance with the recently established Flying Labs Network Council. Additionally, streamlined administrative processes will make Network operations more efficient, allowing Flying Labs to thrive even further.

We will continue to build out a robust partner ecosystem, enhance access to technology and software for the local experts of the Network, and continue our efforts to translate Network resources into the different languages represented in the Network. A fresh communication strategy (including the launch of a new Flying Labs Network email newsletter), improved impact measurement frameworks, and the launch of a sustainability program will further support this core work. And we plan for a global retreat—our first since 2022—towards the end of the year to bring the Network together to celebrate progress and align for the future.

2. Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Solutions Platform

The Drones, Data & AI Solutions Platform for Disaster and Climate Resilience is an open-source initiative designed to equip local stakeholders with the tools, knowledge, and connections to integrate drone/geospatial data into their decision-making processes for more targeted and collaborative disaster mitigation efforts. In 2024 we launched its pilot phase, and this year will see us develop it further, with the platform funded and the first version launched. 

Following the success of the Drone, Data, and AI for Disaster Risk Management conference in South Africa—demonstrative of the first and fourth pillars of the platform—we plan to co-organize two regional disaster management conferences this year. We invite organisations concerned with disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery to explore our concept note to learn more about how they can get involved in this project.

Building on our last rounds of Turning Data into Action (TDIA) projects focused on climate and disaster resilience, we aim to secure funding and implement extensions of these initiatives. This will amplify their impact and highlight advancements in climate and disaster resilience across the Global South. Dive into Brazil Flying Labs' interactive ArcGIS Story Map on Drone-Based Monitoring for Environmental Protection in the Atlantic Forest for a look into the impactful work carried out as part of the TDIA programme.

3. CAA Framework

The Flying Labs Drone Regulations Engagement Framework is fast becoming a valuable tool for working with Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) across the Global South. By guiding the development of drone regulations that are data-driven and locally relevant, the Framework not only enhances safety and compliance but also unlocks the technology’s social and economic potential.

Since its development in 2023, we have implemented the Framework in Kenya in August 2024, and this February, we will replicate it for the first time in West Africa, in Togo.

Beyond this, we plan to undertake 2–4 consulting projects with various CAAs in the Global South and learn if we can adapt the framework for AI policy development, further expanding its impact.

4. Glocalization Model

We will continue advancing our glocalization model, aiming for adoptions with  2–4 new organizations. We plan to undertake funded academic research on the model, which will deepen our understanding of the model’s effectiveness and provide valuable insights for further expansion.

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As we step into 2025 with a clear strategy and ambitious goals, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. With a strong foundation and our ever-dedicated team, we are all set to make this a year of transformative action. We invite organizational and individual changemakers to join us—whether through collaboration, funding, or shared expertise. And to keep up with our activities and progress, we invite you to subscribe to our email newsletter. Together, we can drive lasting social change and amplify the Power of Local across the Global South.