Innovations

Discover how we pioneer innovative programs to vulnerable communities

Transforming Lived Experiences into Solutions for a Brighter Future
Community Hackathon: Creativity & Collaboration to Combat Child Labour
hackathon
About the Hackathon
A groundbreaking initiative by the International Labour Organization (ILO), ITCILO, and Nascent RDO, the Community Hackathon empowers young people from vulnerable communities, many with firsthand experiences of child labour, to design innovative solutions to eradicate exploitation.
Why It Matters:
  • Over 168 million children worldwide are trapped in child labour.
  • Poverty, early marriages, and systemic inequality fuel this crisis.
  • Those closest to the problem hold the key to solving it.
Our Mission:
Amplify the voices of affected youth, turning their resilience into actionable strategies that address root causes like poverty, domestic violence, and harmful societal norms.
The Mbale Hackathon: A Case Study in Impact
Youth in Bulamburi, Sironko and Mbale districts were mobilized and trained to find solutions that eliminate child labour from their communities. Many dropped off at different stages during the hackathon competitions and 50 made it to the finals. In December 2024, 50 young innovators who made it to the finals, gathered for a 4-day event that blended design thinking, teamwork, and raw creativity to further finetune their ideas.
Key Outcomes:
  • 10+ Prototypes developed, including apps for reporting exploitation and community-led education campaigns.
  • Cross-cultural collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds.
  • Skills gained: Problem-solving, leadership, and technical prototyping.
hackathon
hackathon
What it involves
Identifying Challenges: Participants shared personal stories to pinpoint critical issues:
  • Poverty driving school dropouts.
  • Early marriages and domestic violence.
  • Societal norms devaluing education.
Brainstorming Solutions: Teams like "Young Fighters" and "Yedana United" merged ideas to tackle systemic causes.
Prototyping: From tech tools to community programs, concepts took shape with mentorship from ILO and Nascent RDO experts.
Pitching for Change: Solutions were presented to judges, with top ideas receiving seed funding and ongoing support.