Commonwealth Youth Ocean Hackathon 2024: (Deadline 31 August, 2024)

Applications are open for the Commonwealth Youth Ocean Hackathon 2024. This hackathon is an exciting initiative of the Commonwealth Blue Charter Ocean Youth Working Group. Leading up to the Ocean Symposium, this challenge aims to harness the creativity and innovation of youth across Commonwealth countries in addressing critical ocean-related challenges.

The Ocean Hackathon under the theme “Catalyzing Youth Solutions for our Ocean and Climate”, invites young people from Commonwealth nations to submit their innovative ideas to solve pressing ocean issues. Participants can work individually or in teams to propose solutions in one or more of the following Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups:

• Plastic Pollution Reduction: Track, collect, recycle, or reduce plastic waste in oceans and coastal areas.
• Marine Conservation/Protected Areas: Monitor and protect marine habitats, endangered species, and biodiversity.
• Ocean Observation and Acidification Monitoring: Promote ocean observation and mitigate the effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems.
• Sustainable Coastal Fisheries: Promote sustainable fishing, reduce bycatch, and minimize impacts on marine ecosystems.
• Ocean and Climate Change Resilience: Mitigate the impacts of climate change on oceans and coastal communities.
• Ocean Education and Outreach: Develop educational tools to raise awareness about ocean conservation.
• Blue Economy Solutions: Create business models that promote economic growth while conserving ocean resources.
• Coral Reef Protection and Restoration: Monitor, protect and restore coral reefs in marine ecosystems.
• Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods: Develop mechanisms to protect mangroves and
  livelihoods.
• Sustainable Aquaculture: Promote sustainable aquaculture systems that promote economic growth while promoting the environment.

Benefits

• The top three innovative ideas will receive recognition and potential prizes, including mentorship, training sessions, and certification courses. They will also have the opportunity to share their ideas at the breakout room of the Ocean Symposium where the winners will be announced and will also earn the title “Commonwealth Ocean Champions for the Year of Youth.”

Eligibility

• Open to young people aged 15 – 29 years old from Commonwealth countries. 
• A solution to at least one issue from the Commonwealth Blue Charter action areas must be developed. 
• Must be a member of the Blue Charter Ocean Youth Working Group.

Note:

• Participants can choose to form teams or submit their entries individually.
• Successful entries will be promoted across Commonwealth media and contribute to a policy recommendation document for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and gain recognition at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Deadline: 31 August, 2024

Application

Participants must submit either a video or a document detailing their chosen issue’s relevance, current actions taken in their country, their proposed solution, implementation challenges, and needed resources. Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges, including experts from ocean and climate change fields.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit Commonwealth Youth Ocean Hackathon.