united earth networks powered by hubcast
UEN Powered by HubCast — a global network of studios, channels and learning, growing like a forest
United Earth Networks, HubCast Media and the PEAC Institute are building a connected media network for personal and planetary transformation: a flagship studio at Fort Worden, a growing ring of international hubs, a family of channels supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and an interactive, AI-enabled set-top box that brings educational content into homes, schools and community centers. Like a forest, the network has roots that connect, trees that grow, and leaves that bring it to life.
Project snapshot
At-a-glance facts for funder and investor calls. All budget figures are working estimates.
- Project lead
- Marc Katsky, Strategic Director, UEN · [email] · [phone]
- Partners
- HubCast Media (platform, studio network) · PEAC Institute (education, peace, arts) · United Earth Networks (mission, Fort Worden)
- Flagship hub
- UEN studio at Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA — built out from the Meta Center plan
- Partner hubs
- Civil Society Media Desk, New York · [4] international hubs — cities to confirm
- Channels
- A family of channels organized around the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and personal transformation
- Device
- Interactive, AI-enabled set-top box with educational content delivery — design partner to confirm
- 3-year budget
- $14.0M (estimate)
- Near-term ask
- $2.5M — Fort Worden studio build-out, first productions, set-top box prototype
- Committed to date
- In-kind: HubCast platform and studio network, UEN Fort Worden studio, NYC Media Desk
- Timeline
- Fort Worden studio & first shows 2027 · 2 international hubs and device pilot 2028 · 5 hubs and device launch 2029
- Structure
- UEN Powered by HubCast brand and revenue-share agreement; charitable asks through fiscal sponsor
- Related briefs
- UEN Powered by HubCast (brand launch) · UEN Meta Center · CoNGO Institute · Spaceship Earth Campus
The opportunity
Language ready to lift into a proposal or investor summary.
Need
The people and organizations working on the Sustainable Development Goals are everywhere, but their stories and knowledge stay scattered across platforms built for advertising, not learning. Communities with weak internet or few screens are left out entirely. NGOs need affordable production help, and learners need trusted, interactive content in their own languages.
Our approach
Build one network with three layers. Studios: a flagship hub at Fort Worden linked to New York and international partner hubs, each producing dialogues, podcasts and programs and renting production support to NGOs. Channels: SDG-themed channels that carry that work worldwide. Delivery: an AI-enabled set-top box that turns any TV into an interactive classroom — with guided learning, translation and the ability to ask questions — and works in low-bandwidth settings.
Who it serves
Viewers and learners at home, in schools and community centers worldwide; NGOs, CoNGO members and UN-affiliated organizations that need production and reach; educators and PEAC programs; youth from the CoNGO Institute and First Earth Battalion who produce content; and partner hubs that join the network.
Why now
The New York Media Desk is open, the UEN Powered by HubCast brand is launching, and the Fort Worden campus is taking shape. AI now makes interactive, multilingual learning affordable on a simple device. Building the network now connects every UEN partner from the start.
The mycelial network
How the pieces fit together within the PEAC Institute, HubCast Media and UEN partnership.
Roots — the mycelium
The connecting layer beneath everything: HubCast's platform, the studio hubs, shared standards, data and distribution. Like mycelium, it moves knowledge and resources to wherever they're needed.
Trees — the verticals
The program areas the network supports: civil society and the UN (CoNGO), peace, education and the arts (PEAC), design science (BFI), earth repair, youth, technology, and personal transformation.
Leaves — the people
The individuals and organizations across the global network — producers, NGOs, teachers, youth reporters and viewers — who create, learn and share, and feed energy back into the whole.
Network components
| Component | What it is | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Worden flagship studio | Multi-camera studio, podcast suite, hybrid meeting room and control room linked to the network | 2027 |
| Interactive dialogues & podcasts | Weekly dialogue series and podcasts with partners, NGOs and youth reporters | 2027 |
| Studio rentals & production support | NGO and organizational bookings using the Meta Center rate card ($250 meeting support to $1,500+ multi-camera production) | 2027 |
| International hubs | Partner studios that share standards, co-produce and exchange content — 2 by 2028, 5 by 2029 | 2028–2029 |
| SDG channel network | Channels grouped around the 17 SDGs plus personal transformation, carried on HubCast and partner platforms | 2028 |
| AI-enabled set-top box | Interactive learning device with guided courses, AI tutoring, translation and offline caching | Pilot 2028 · launch 2029 |
Channel family
People (SDGs 1–5) · Planet (6, 12–15) · Prosperity (7–11) · Peace (16) · Partnership (17) · Inner transformation and wellbeing.
Hub standards
Shared technical specs, editorial and safeguarding standards, a common booking system, and revenue sharing between hubs.
Responsible AI
Privacy-first design, age-appropriate content, human editorial oversight, and clear labeling of AI-generated material.
Funding opportunities
Grants and gifts for mission work, investment for the device and platform, and earned revenue for sustainability.
Sponsorship & partnership tiers
| Tier | Amount | Recognition & benefits | Slots | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founding network partner | $1,000,000 | Founding credit across the network, board seat, recognition on every channel | 1 | Open |
| International hub sponsor | $600,000 | Named hub in a partner city; credit on its productions | 5 | Open |
| SDG channel underwriter | $250,000 | Underwrites one channel for a year; on-air credit | 6 | Open |
| Set-top box technology partner | $250,000 or in-kind | Hardware, AI or connectivity partnership; co-branding as negotiated | 3 | In conversation |
| Series underwriter | $50,000 | Underwrites a dialogue or podcast series for a year | 8 | Open |
| Classroom device sponsor | $5,000 | Places devices and content in [20] classrooms or community centers | Unlimited | Open |
Grant & capital pipeline
| Source | Fit | Request | Timing | Stage | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education & digital learning funders | AI learning platform and classroom devices | $1,000,000 | [Cycle TBD] | Prospect research | GMA |
| SDG, development & global cooperation funders | SDG channels and international hubs | $1,500,000 | [LOI-based] | Prospect research | GMA |
| Public-interest media funders | Dialogues, podcasts and NGO production support | $500,000 | [Cycle TBD] | Prospect research | GMA |
| Peace, arts & culture funders | PEAC programming across channels | $250,000 | [Cycle TBD] | Cultivation | PEAC |
| Impact investors & strategic partners | Set-top box and platform as a revenue business | [$4,000,000] | [2027–2028] | Concept | UEN + HubCast |
Crowdfunding
Goal: $100,000 — “Plant the Network” · pre-orders and founding memberships for the set-top box, plus devices donated to classrooms.
Major & recurring gifts
Named hubs and channels, multi-year underwriting, and monthly members who support the channels. Stewardship: network reports and studio visits.
Earned revenue
Studio rentals and production services, device sales and subscriptions, channel sponsorship, content licensing, and hub membership fees.
Budget & use of funds
Three years, 2027–2029 — $14.0M (working estimate).
The Fort Worden line includes the Meta Center build-out; don't count both. HubCast's existing platform and studio network are additional in-kind value.
Committed
$0 cash. HubCast platform, studio network and NYC Media Desk in-kind.
Pending
No requests submitted yet.
First step
$2.5M — Fort Worden studio, first year of dialogues and podcasts, and a set-top box prototype.
Impact metrics
Targets by the end of 2029.
Measurement method
Platform and device analytics on viewers, learners and course completion; episodes and channels by SDG; NGO bookings and satisfaction; hub output; languages served; revenue by stream. Data owner: [name].
Reporting cadence
Monthly network dashboard, quarterly partner and sponsor updates, and an annual impact report mapped to the SDGs.
Document library
Link each item to the live file in the UEN shared drive.
Fundraising package
Contacts & next steps
Named owners for every ask, plus what has to happen before this brief goes out.
Project lead
Marc Katsky · Strategic Director, United Earth Networks
Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA
[email] · [phone]
HubCast & PEAC
[Names, titles]
[emails]
Roles: platform and hubs; education and content
Grant Management Associates
[Consultant name]
[email] · [phone]
Scope: education, SDG and media grants
- Sign the UEN–HubCast–PEAC agreement: roles, brand use and revenue sharing across hubs and channels.
- Choose a hardware and AI partner for the set-top box and get a real cost per unit.
- Name the first international hub cities and partner organizations.
- Check UN guidelines before using the SDG logo or icons on channels.
- Write the responsible AI, privacy and child-safety policy — needed for any device used in schools.