List of hackathons in Liberia in 2018

This event is organized by Sensi Tech Hub on behalf of GIZ and GFA Consulting Group, as part of the Regional Programme Support to Pandemic Prevention in the ECOWAS Region (RPPP). Sensi Tech Hub is facilitating the event in partnership with GIZ, GFA, National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL). Sensi will be organizing a four-day hackathon that is focused on developing ICT solutions on challenges regarding risk communication during health emergencies and outbreaks in Liberia. The hackathon aims to bring together tech developers, risk communication experts, health professionals, entrepreneurs, designers and media professionals to work together over four days and start developing ICT solutions and ideas that can help enhance efforts of the government, stakeholders and organizations working on strengthening preparedness systems for health emergencies and outbreaks. HIGHLIGHTS – This is the first Health Hackathon on Risk Communication in  Liberia – Award for the top 3 winning teams – An opportunity for the top winning team to receive mentorship from experts in an aftercare programme designed to help develop their prototype – Represents a chance to be part of a GIZ hackathon event in Liberia The hackathon will focus on the following challenges: – COORDINATION – Managing changing communication problems – SOCIAL MOBILISATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – Communication with communities at risk to understand their perceptions and needs – MEDIA – Media outreach, social media and new media The event is open but not limited to tech developers, risk communication and health professionals, media professionals, entrepreneurs and local university students across Liberia. WHAT IS A HACKATHON? A hackathon is a social event that brings entrepreneurs, health professionals, ICT and software developers and risk communication experts to collaborate intensely building new solutions – or improving existing ones – based on technology. There is usually a specific focus, such as a particular application framework, stated business or social challenge. At the end of the event, each group presents their results. This could include a product roadmap, marketing strategy, revenue model, and/or a live demonstration. A panel of judges selects the winning teams, and prizes are given for originality and potential. AWARDS There will be three prizes for the top three teams. The winning team will be placed in an aftercare mentoring program that will be facilitated by Sensi Tech Hub in collaboration with GIZ, GFA and expert mentors to help them develop their idea or prototype. The awards will be in the form of a startup toolkit, which could include services, infrastructure, equipment and other support materials, valued at: 1st prize: $2,500 — 2nd prize: $1,500 — 3rd prize: $1,000 SPONSORS & ORGANISERS GIZ – As a federally owned enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ is implementing the RPPP programme, on behalf of the German Government. (https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/62702.html) GFA Consulting Group GmbH - has a sound track record of providing effective solutions to the challenges in the global consulting market. Based in Hamburg, the company relies on an international network of experts, partners and subsidiaries that helped implementing complex studies and projects in over 130 countries since 1982. (http://www.gfa-group.de/) Sensi Tech Innovation Hub - is the first Hub of its kind to be established in Sierra Leone since the country gained its independence in 1961. Its main objective is to build a technology innovation community in Sierra Leone that drives economic and social development through providing an open and stimulating community hub for technologists, entrepreneurs and creatives to come together, develop their ideas, and access cutting-edge tech, grants funding, events, incubation and acceleration programmes, networking, training and jobs opportunities. (http://sensi-sl.org/)