By Adedapo Adesanya
Swiss-based group, Seedstars, has launched the application for its $24,000 hackathon which seeks to leverage technology and entrepreneurship to further its mission of impacting the lives of people in emerging markets.
Themed Digital Democracy Challenge, the programme seeks innovative, low-cost and viable digital solutions to support and establish resilience in civic and democratic public spaces where the rights to freedom of expression and association are restricted.
The goal is to develop innovative solutions and contribute to furthering Goal 16 of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ultimately, unique solutions to promote digital democracy, ensure the continued existence of democratic spaces, maintain a domain for dialogue and ideas and provide first-hand accounts of government activities are to be achieved.
The scheme will identify sustainable solutions addressing digital pain points experienced by citizens living in countries with limited cyber freedom and stringent communications restriction.
Pointing out the benefits, Seedstars noted that at the end of the programme, three winners will be selected to receive cash prizes to further develop their products: The first prize winner will receive $10,000; the second prize winner will receive $8,000, and the third prize winner will receive $6,000.
The programme is designed for socially committed citizens worldwide, problem solvers, creative minds, democracy experts, programmers, graphic and web designers which include a team of at least three members who are passionate about solving issues surrounding the decline of democracy globally.
In addition, they must already have an idea or even a minimum viable product that can be developed further during the Hackathon.
Selected teams will receive coaching, mentorship, and training from experts in their field.
They will present their ideas at a Demo Day event, in which participants will pitch to a panel of judges, presenting their ideas.
Interested parties can apply here for the Seedstars Hackathon before the deadline on Monday, September 13, 2021, while additional information can be sourced on the SeedStars programme’s official website.
