A global series of city-based Hackathons, designed to support homeless organisations and the communities they serve, has been announced with the first one to take place in Edinburgh over the weekend 20-22 March 2020.
The planned series of three-day hackathons, organisers hope, will make a life changing difference to homeless communities in cities across the globe.
William Thomson, Managing Director of organisers Gallus Events, said: “The lack of a safe and secure home is an issue for millions of people across the globe. Homelessness is a global crisis. Hackathons have a proven track record of positively impacting the communities they serve and a Homeless Hackathon packs a big enough punch to design and develop practical solutions to prevent homelessness.”
As well as the Edinburgh event, Homeless Hackathons are taking place in: Montreal, 26-28 June; Barcelona, 10-12 July; Dundee 9-11 October; London, 6-8 November.
Taking place over a 72-hour period (Friday night to Sunday afternoon), hackers come up with innovative and creative ways to solve real world problems.
The hackathons are each targeting 100 people from across the IT and digital communities, creative industries and local and national governments, as well as the charity sector.
Jamie Cooke, Head of RSA Scotland added: “With two hackathons taking place in Scotland, they are an incredibly important and timely opportunity. As economic insecurity increases and the impacts of austerity become ever more evident, it is unsurprising that the homelessness levels have been rising. I am delighted to support the hackathons as a powerful response to this unacceptable state of affairs – by bringing together tech-savvy young people and those who have lived experience of homelessness, the hackathons will challenge the status quo and bring innovative new ideas to the table. I can’t wait to see what comes out of them.”
More information: https://www.gallusevents.co.uk/homeless-hackathon/
Live event site for bookings for the Edinburgh hackathon: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/homeless-hackathon-edinburgh-tickets-91277418215
