At Vivaldi we believe that the web is one of humanity’s greatest inventions: open to everyone, built for exploration and expression. But the feeling you get being online these days doesn't necessarily reflect this. The free and open web still exists, it's just buried under something ugly.

What should have been a shared, open space has become a profit machine for a few tech oligarchs feeding on our attention and data, in chase of world domination. Big Tech is infesting the web like digital weeds, choking the internet we once loved.

It is time for a dugnad. A digital dugnad.

But what the hell is a dugnad?

Dugnad is a Norwegian gem of a word and tradition. It's about coming together when a task feels too big to do alone. Like coming together to deal with overgrowth in our shared garden. It’s friends and neighbours rolling up their sleeves together.

The word is Norwegian but the problem we’re trying to solve is global. Too many rely on Big Tech services that exploit our data and dominate our digital lives. It’s time to whack some digital weeds together.

How did we bring this challenge into motion?

First, we hosted a Digital Dugnad campaign in Norway. 150 volunteers joined us throughout the country and spent a whole day teaching their communities about alternatives to Big Tech.

Then, we took the concept to our browser’s second home: Iceland. Vivaldi has been sponsoring the Grótta football club for a few years. Together with the acting ambassador of Norway in Iceland, we presented this year’s away kit, which will feature the Digital Dugnad campaign. The motto in Icelandic is "margar hendur vinna létt verk" (literally: many hands make light work).

Step one: start with yourself.

Taking back control of your digital life does not require a degree in computer science. A few simple swaps are enough to make a real difference, for you and for the open and free web.

• Switch your browser.
• Switch your search engine.
• Move your email.
• Change where you store your files.
• Each one takes minutes. Each one matters.

Step two: bring someone with you.

This is where dugnad becomes something bigger. Your neighbour, your grandfather, your dentist, your mechanic, your boss. All of them need your help. That makes you the most important person in their digital life.

Help one person make one swap. That is how a movement grows. Share the message using digitaldugnad.eu and remember: Big Tech goes in the container.