Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon

The U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to facilitate the launch of the Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon. Please follow all instructions in the "Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon NOFO Full Instructions" document under the Related Documents tab.

Priority Region: Lagos, Nigeria

Overview and Purpose

Inadequate technological solutions and lack of coordination across Nigeria's marine and blue economy-related sectors have led to untapped economic opportunities, unsustainable fishing practices, plastic pollution, and environmental damage. To implement the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation Plan of Action and to bolster U.S.-Nigeria relations, a selected implementing partner, in consultation with the U.S. Mission Nigeria, will launch the Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon. This two- to three-day event will bring together approximately 60 working-level government officials, private sector experts, academics, entrepreneurs, and students to crowdsource innovative technical solutions to marine and blue economy-related problems.

Defining Problem Statements, Crowdsourcing Solutions, and Measuring Results

The selected implementing partner, in consultation with the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, will define three marine and blue economy-focused problem statements. Problem statements should reflect local needs and the priorities established by the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation member countries including sustainable fisheries management, plastic pollution prevention, coastal community resilience, marine conservation, sustainable aquaculture management, ghost gear solutions, aquatic food technology advancement, ocean data and information gathering and analysis, and marine spatial planning implementation.

During the hackathon, participants will:

(a) translate multifaceted problems into succinct technical specifications and statements recognizable to software and technology designers; and

(b) form teams to generate actionable and innovative technical solutions to the shared problem statement(s).

At the end of the hackathon, a winner will be selected by a board of American and Nigerian judges for the most innovative and impactful solution developed, and a prize will be offered. After the hackathon, participants will then deploy the solutions they collaboratively design, leverage partnerships established with their counterparts across the sector, and closely coordinate with one another to ensure the solutions address the identified problems. Hackathon results can be measured by number and quality of targeted small-group sessions, the introduction of new tools and technologies, and creation of prototypes that address the problems hackathon participants tackle.

In order to be considered, implementing partner applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to inclusive participation. The selected implementing partner must reach out to potential participants from marginalized populations and communities, ensure balance among hackathon participants, and provide accessibility accommodations as needed.

Participants and Audiences

This two- to three-day event will bring together approximately 60 working-level government officials, private sector experts, academics, entrepreneurs, and students to crowdsource innovative technical solutions to marine and blue economy-related problems.