Building a network for safer, fairer, more inclusive gaming
We’re building the Gaming Equity Network: a cross-sector collaboration bringing together schools, community organisations, the games industry, researchers, youth services, funders and policymakers to make gaming work for everyone.
We’re opening the call for founding members during Get Online Week (19 to 25 October 2026), and will launch the network formally on Thursday 3 December 2026, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with every founding member named.
Gaming is where many young people go online first
Gaming is now where many children make friends, learn to solve problems and first use technology with confidence. But not everyone has equal access, not every space is safe, and the people who play games are still poorly reflected in who makes them.
No single organisation can change that alone. The Gaming Equity Network will connect the people who see these problems from different sides, so that practice in schools and communities can shape research, industry decisions and policy.
What we want to achieve
- Reduce inequalities in access to gaming and digital play.
- Promote safe, inclusive and responsible gaming spaces.
- Support gaming as a tool for learning, confidence, wellbeing and digital skills.
- Connect community practice with research, policy and industry.
What the network will do
- Bring members together to share practice and agree a common agenda.
- Develop and test pilots in schools and community settings.
- Publish case studies, briefings and free resources.
- Build evidence to inform policy, funding and responsible design.
IFB Gaming’s work so far
The network grows out of more than ten years of IFB Gaming’s own work with gaming and young people in south London.
200+ gaming and esports sessions
Delivered since 2015, using gaming as a way into digital skills and confidence.
See our case studiesThe Gaming Guide
A free guide for parents and guardians on age ratings, safety settings, accessible gaming and wellbeing.
Open the guideGaming Guide Series
A growing set of free guides to gaming for families and professionals.
Explore the seriesWho Built Gaming?
Our free Black History Month game and lesson pack on the Black pioneers who shaped video games. Out now.
Play the gameJoining is deliberately light
We want founding members to shape the network, not fill in paperwork. At this stage there is no fee and no formal commitment.
What we ask of founding members
- Your logo, to appear on this page.
- A one-line commitment to gaming equity, in your own words.
- If you can, one post during Get Online Week using #GetOnlineWeek and #GamingEquityNetwork.
Key dates
- 19 to 25 October 2026Call for founding members opens during Get Online Week.
- Monday 20 October 2026Reply by this date to be named in our Get Online Week announcement.
- Thursday 3 December 2026Formal launch, with every founding member named.
We’re especially keen to hear from organisations working in accessible gaming, skills and careers, wellbeing, and representation in games.
Principles of gaming equity
Founding members share the principles in the IFB Gaming Charter.
- Equity and accessReduce barriers to taking part and widen inclusive pathways.
- Safety by designSafeguarding, harm prevention and a clear duty of care.
- Inclusive representationDiverse identities, cultures and lived experience in gaming spaces and leadership.
- Learning and developmentPurposeful use of gaming for skills, creativity and confidence.
- Community-led practiceCo-design with communities, families, learners and players.
- Responsibility and governanceTransparency, accountability and ethical decision-making.
- Evidence and impactEvaluation, shared learning and honest reporting of outcomes.
- WellbeingHealthy participation and positive digital cultures.
- SustainabilityResponsible device use, reuse, repair and circularity.
From joining to impact
- JoinSend us your logo and a one-line commitment, and nominate a lead contact.
- Shape the agendaHelp decide the network’s first priorities and how it meets, ahead of the launch on 3 December.
- Deliver togetherCo-design pilots in schools and community settings, and share what works.
Help build the network from the start
Founding members will shape what the Gaming Equity Network becomes. If your organisation cares about safe, fair and inclusive gaming, we’d love to hear from you. Reply by Monday 20 October to be named during Get Online Week, or join any time before the launch on 3 December.
Also see the Charter and membership and contributions.