Paris, 30 October 2025 – Common Good Cyber was a selected solution at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, marking a major step forward in global efforts to strengthen cybersecurity for civil society and the wider Internet. During the two-day Forum, Common Good Cyber was featured both at its exhibition booth and in a dedicated roundtable moderated by Kayle Giroud of the Global Cyber Alliance, where representatives from governments, philanthropy, and international organisations engaged in discussions on practical ways to bolster digital resilience and advance the implementation of the Common Good Cyber Fund.
The Common Good Cyber Fund, the first global funding mechanism dedicated to supporting nonprofit organisations that deliver core cybersecurity services for the public good, was established to address a long-standing gap in sustainable support for the digital safety of high-risk communities, civil society, and public-interest infrastructures.
New Donors Join to Strengthen the Fund
At the Forum, Ernst Noorman, Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, announced that the Netherlands will join the Common Good Cyber Fund as a contributing government, further expanding the Fund’s founding coalition of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Ambassador Noorman emphasized the Netherlands’ long-standing commitment to an open, secure, and inclusive digital environment, and its recognition of the Fund as a practical vehicle to deliver on that vision.
Chris Locke, Managing Director of the Internet Society Foundation, acting as the Fund manager, further announced the participation of Craig Newmark Philanthropies, a private-sector donor joining the effort to strengthen the delivery of cybersecurity tools and services in the public interest. Locke noted that this partnership highlights the growing collaboration between governments and private philanthropy in addressing cybersecurity challenges.
A Global Commitment to Cybersecurity for the Public Good
During the dedicated roundtable, H.E. Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Ambassador to France and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe, and Andrew Dalgleish, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Paris, underscored how the Joint Canada-UK Common Good Cyber Fund aligns with high-level priorities, including the G7 Statement on Transnational Repression and the 15 June 2025 UK–Canada Joint Statement by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, both of which called for concrete measures to defend civil society against digital transnational repression.
In-Kind Contributors Step Forward: The Hague’s Enduring Commitment
The Paris Peace Forum also provided the stage for the first signatories of the Common Good Cyber Supporter Statement, now visible online.
To illustrate the importance of these contributors, Stephane Duguin, CEO of the CyberPeace Institute, and Deputy Mayor Saskia Bruines of the City of The Hague, joined the dedicated roundtable and spoke about the local and institutional dimension of global cyber resilience. Some examples of in-kind support include contributing expertise, infrastructure, and connections, accelerating deployment of cybersecurity solutions in local markets, and amplifying the impact of organisations safeguarding high-risk and civil society actors.
Deputy Mayor Bruines formally presented The Hague’s Statement of Support for the Common Good Cyber Fund. The statement reaffirms the city’s long-term commitment to building a safer digital environment for nonprofits and high-risk actors through its Cyber Secure The Hague program, which runs through 2027.
Excerpt – The Hague’s Statement of Support
“As part of the Beyond125 action plan, the Common Good Cyber Fund stands as a crucial pillar in the pursuit of international peace and justice in this digital age. The City of The Hague is proud to continue its support for initiatives that safeguard the digital resilience of civil society, in line with our century-long legacy as the City of Peace and Justice.”
Establishing Governance and Next Steps
Chris Locke also presented the Fund’s governance structure, designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment with global cybersecurity needs. Central to this structure is the Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC), which brings together donor representatives and leading global experts to guide the Fund’s grant strategy.
Locke announced that the Fund will launch its first open call for grant applications in 2026. The goal is to channel $50 million per year into strengthening the operations of cybersecurity nonprofit organisations worldwide.
Looking Ahead: Turning Commitments into Action
In closing, Kayle Giroud reflected on the collective momentum generated by the Paris Peace Forum:
“The presence of Common Good Cyber at the Paris Peace Forum marks the transition from commitment to concrete action. Common Good Cyber, with the operationalisation of its Fund, will soon stand ready to support the people and organisations who protect others online – those who form the backbone of a safe and inclusive digital society.”
Common Good Cyber at the Paris Peace Forum demonstrated not only international unity but also practical readiness. With founding and new donors, active partnerships, and a transparent governance framework being tested, the Common Good Cyber Fund is poised to make a tangible impact on global cybersecurity for civil society and the public good.
