Deadline: September 20, 2021
Applications are open for the UNODC African Youth Anti-Corruption Hackathon 2021. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is looking for the most talented coders to inspire them with their ideas on how tech can help fight corruption and advance peace, justice, and strong institutions.
The African Youth Anti-Corruption Hackathon is a virtual 4 week technology challenge organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with private and public sector organizations in five African countries, namely Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa. The Objectives of the hackathon are to promote the use of information and communications technologies (ICT) to prevent and combat corruption in Africa and to give young developers the chance to come up with their own ideas on how to counter corruption through technologies.
The challenge will also promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) by enhancing public-private partnerships in the development of sustainable ICT-based anti-corruption solutions; youth engagement and employment; innovation and technology. The winning teams will have the opportunity to further develop their technology solutions with the support of the public sector partners of the hackathon that seek to increase the use of ICT solutions as part of their domestic anti-corruption efforts.
Thematic Areas
The hackathon participants will be challenged to develop an ICT-based idea or solution that address one or more of the following themes:
- Transparency in public administration, for instance, non-cash-based payments and traceability.
- Transparency in public procurement and the administration of public finances.
- Safe and reliable reporting of corruption (whistle-blowing promotion and protection).
- Financial investigation solutions.
- Other areas relevant to UNCAC.
Award
- The winning teams will be invited to present their projects and ideas to the Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (COSP), which will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in December 2021.
- The COSP will bring together anti-corruption experts from more than 180 countries and will serve as a great opportunity for the winning teams to promote and seek further support for the development of their ICT-based solutions.
- UNODC will cover the travel and accommodation for the winning teams in accordance with the UN travel regulations.
Eligibility
Open to young creative people who:
- Are between the age of 18 and 35.
- Have basic coding skills and some experience with one or more development technologies.
- Are nationals of Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.
- Have knowledge of Java, Javascript, C++, Python.
- Are proficient in English.
- Are passionate about using their tech skills to design digitally innovative solutions to promote integrity and tackle corruption in their countries.
- Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply for the hackathon.
Judging Criteria
- Originality
- Usefulness
- Execution
- Adherence to the theme
- Social impact
- Presentation
- Technology Implementation
Application
Interested participants are to fill the application form to participate in the hackathon by September 20.
For more information, visit UNODC.
