By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Magamba Network, in partnership with CIVICUS, has officially launched the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) Hackathon, aimed at enhancing democratic engagement across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Scheduled for May 9 and 10, 2025, this virtual event invites innovators, developers, activists, and community leaders to create technology-driven solutions focused on empowering citizens, particularly women, youth, and marginalized groups who often face significant challenges in advocating for their democratic rights.
Applications for the hackathon are open until April 30, 2025.
“The initiative encourages participants, aged 18-35, to address pressing issues such as disinformation, censorship, and the fight for civil liberties in an increasingly digital world,” read part of statement.
Participants will work on projects designed to foster civic engagement, protect activists, and promote transparency and accountability in governance.
“ The hackathon presents participants with three key challenges: developing innovative tools for digital governance and accountability, creating strategies that combine digital security with activism, and combating disinformation through advanced solutions like AI-driven fact-checking applications,” stated the statement
Five winning teams will receive seed funding of $7,500 each to help turn their ideas into reality. The organizers emphasize that the expected outcomes of the hackathon include novel digital solutions that empower citizens, defend their digital rights, and promote social change across African nations.
Interested individuals and teams are encouraged to apply now and contribute their innovative ideas.