Registration for the Regional Virtual Zoohackathon is open!

On Nov. 6-8, the U.S. Embassy Paris is proud to host the European Regional Virtual Zoohackathon in partnership with Free Spirit Foundation. We would like to invite dynamic young leaders in Estonia to participate! Registration is required by October 25 at https://www.itfortheplanet.org/register/

Who can participate? 

Teams comprised of university students and young professionals with an interest in using technology to combat wildlife trafficking. 

What is it? 

A Zoohackathon is a unique way to crowd source technology solutions to help fight wildlife trafficking, raise awareness, and spur innovation. Our program will virtually bring together teams of university students and young professionals from across Europe for a 48-hour competition. Zoohackathon takes place all over the world.  This year, due to restrictions related to COVID-19, there will be six virtual Zoohackathon competitions, including this European Region event hosted by U.S. Embassy Paris and its partners. 

What should participants expect? 

The event is free to enter and will be facilitated in English. Teams will tackle one of several “problem statements” linked to wildlife trafficking and work to develop solutions that can help detect traffickers, change consumer behavior, or educate the public through websites, mobile apps, website extensions, online databases, or software. At the end of the competition, teams will virtually present their solutions to a panel of judges who will choose a winning solution for the European region. Our European winners will receive prizes to help them realize their winning idea or develop professional skills. A week after the European Zoohackathon, the winning teams will also present their winning solution virtually to a group of judges based in Washington, DC who will choose the global winner for a global prize!  

Participant teams can apply by October 25 at https://www.itfortheplanet.org/register/