Call for participation: First ever “UNLIMITED” Inclusivity Hackathon in Azerbaijan!

June 16, 2019

Image: UNDP Azerbaijan. Design concept by Elmar Nabiyev. Adapted by Maxim Kostenko.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Country Office in Azerbaijan is launching the first ever Inclusivity Hackathon in Azerbaijan on 28 – 30 June 2019. Bringing close to a hundred people together in the capital Baku, the Hackathon will draw innovative solutions to support people with varying abilities.

At present over 15% of the world’s population are living with a disability. In Azerbaijan, the number of people with disabilities (PwD) is reported at 620,000 or about 6% of the population. They constitute about 30% of 1.3 million pensioners with 60% of recipients of disability benefits being minors. Every day PwDs face difficulties and encounter barriers, which oftentimes remain invisible for the broader public: inaccessible infrastructure, stigma, lack of relevant assistive technology, nonexistent services and policies in almost all areas of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most common challenges facing people living with disabilities include attitudinal, physical limitations, social factors, lack of accessible infrastructure, including communications and transport systems as well as the lack sufficient legislative and policy support.  Often, people with disabilities encounter more than one barrier at a time.

To tackle these barriers in a non-traditional way, UNDP Azerbaijan is organizing a two-day Inclusivity Hackathon under “Unlimited” concept.

The main purpose of the 48-hours non-stop event is to bring together motivated representatives of the civil society, people with disabilities (PwD),  and young civic and technology enthusiasts where they get exposed to challenges of PwD experience in Azerbaijan, come up with ideas and open source code solutions to tackle these challenges (e.g. apps, websites, e-products) as well as “acquire the fire” from a group of mentors to further their ideas into a workable prototypes to improve lives of PwDs.

The programme is now open for applications from civic activists and volunteers, students, web designers, web programmers, people with disabilities, journalists, government officials interested in joining the hackathon! Registered applicants will work in a fast-paced team environment and within only 48 hours will generate a certain number of workable prototypes that can facilitate a greater level of awareness of the challenges and needs of people with disabilities as well as help solve these challenges for them.

The winning idea will receive a grant award of 5,000 Azerbaijani manat and access to professional mentorship guidance for the period of three months following the award. During this time to operationalize the prototype and develop full scale working solution.

The Hackathon will be held at the Museum of Art (Bayil district, National Flag Square, 1000 Baku, Azerbaijan). Experienced mentors will support the participating teams and assist them in developing best possible solutions. By the end of the three-day intensive programme, filled with exciting learning modules and adrenaline-driven experience, the Jury members selected from among high profile national and international experts in the field of innovation, inclusivity and technology will review individual team profiles and will give their final verdict on the winning idea.

If you and your team want to partake in a positive social change, create digital solutions to improve the wellbeing of PwDs in Azerbaijan and make this world a better place to live Leaving No One Behind please join the UNDP’s inaugural Inclusivity Hackathon!

For more insights, please visit the UNDP’s Unlimited page here. Interested individuals who wish to join the Hackathon to co-design new innovative technologies and both low-tech and high-tech disability-friendly solutions should submit your application via this form.

Applications close on 23 June 2019, at 23:59 (Baku Time).

***

For media inquries, please contact Arzu Jafarli, Communications and External Relations Analyst for UNDP in Azerbaijan – arzu.jafarli@undp.org

***

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. 

A story of Ilkin Shahverdiyev

This is a story of Ilkin Shahverdiyev. Ilkin is a student and he has a passion for arts and drawing. He encourages everyone to join the #UNLIMITED Inclusivity Hackathon in Baku and to help draw solutions that will make life easier for people with hearing and visual impairments. Apply before 23:59 (Baku time) on 23 June 2019 to be part of this inaugural campaign!

A story of Sara through the eyes of her mother Nurlana Aliyeva

Did you know that Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21? Down syndrome results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health. Access to health care, to inclusive education and early intervention programs are very important for the growth and development of the individual. Nurlana Aliyeva, mother of Sara, 6, shares their family journey and calls everyone to join Hackathon! Do not hesitate, apply and help people with Down syndrome follow their dreams and aspirations! Apply here https://bit.ly/2ZAKcqJ! Deadline is June 23, 23:59 (Baku time).

A story of Vusala Karimova

Vusala Karimova, para-dancer and civic activist, tells her life story full of adventures, achievements and dreams which came true. She wants others to live life full of colors. She believes that inclusive society for everyone is possible. Vusala calls everyone to join Hackathon, find digital solutions which will help people with disabilities to overcome challenges and enjoy life! Form your team of enthusiasts and apply to Hackathon.