Marine Hackathon

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announces an open competition for organizations interested in organizing a marine hackathon in June 2019 to create digital solutions to marine life and ecosystem challenges such as illegal, unreported & unregulated fishing, the destruction of coral reefs that affect the environment and human life, and coastal communities’ quality of life and livelihood. Proposals should bring together coders, scientists, and technologists in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and other partners to acquire, analyze and use open data to develop apps and other technological innovations that offer solutions to the most pressing marine ecosystem challenges. Other partners could include: U.S. and Philippine government departments/agencies, marine and maritime organizations, environmental leaders, think tanks, marine experts, U.S. Government exchange program alumni, and local coastal communities. Proposals should include a plan for furthering the development of the apps/solutions that emerge from the hackathon to benefit the wider community or ecosystem. Proposals should leverage the event to raise general public awareness of the importance of marine resources and maritime problems facing the Philippines and the ASEAN region and encourage better practices and policies that advance solutions to marine and maritime concerns.