The hackathon, which began on November 2, 2024, brings together a diverse range of participants, including university students, recent graduates, and professionals, all eager to address Kigali's unique climate challenges such as flooding, heat waves, and infrastructure strain.
During the launch, Justice Oyakhilome Anthony, the Team Leader of UNLEASH Hack Kigali, highlighted the importance of the event in building awareness and fostering collaboration around urban resilience.
'UNLEASH Hacks Kigali is a call to action for young minds to come together and co-create sustainable solutions that can withstand climate impacts. This platform not only raises awareness about climate resilience but also builds the skills and capacity needed to develop actionable solutions for Kigali's urban spaces.' Anthony stated.
'We aim to create practical, innovative strategies that can contribute to a better quality of life for the city's residents,' he added.
The hackathon, themed 'Climate Resilient Urban Areas,' encourages participants to develop solutions tailored to the challenges faced by Kigali and similar urban centers in developing countries.
The event structure includes ideation workshops, team-building exercises, mentorship sessions with climate experts and urban planners, and a final pitch session where teams will present their solutions to a panel of judges.
One of the participants, Tahel Imena, a student from Bridge2 Rwanda Academy, shared her passion for climate action, reflecting on her past experiences and aspirations.
'I was a facilitator in the Climate Economy class at school, where I learned about the global urgency of climate change mitigation. It's something we all need to act on,' Imena said.
She explained that developing countries are faced with climate change issues, from air pollution to floods, especially in vulnerable areas like slums. 'I'm here to learn more and understand how we can address these challenges. It's intriguing to think about what people need and how governments can help,' she pointed out.
As participants dive into solution development, mentors and facilitators guide them through design thinking and problem-framing workshops.
By the end of the event, the goal is to produce innovative solutions and actionable plans to improve climate resilience in Kigali. Selected solutions will receive recognition and potential support for implementation.
The UNLEASH Hacks Kigali has garnered support from multiple partners, including the government, local universities, and sustainability-focused companies, signaling the city's commitment to fostering a climate-resilient future.
Sam K Nkurunziza
