This year, at DataFest Tbilisi 2024, we will host TruthTechThon, a media and information literacy hackathon. The Media Development Foundation (MDF), in collaboration with international partners, invites you to join us for this exciting event. We are looking for young individuals passionate about digital technologies to participate. The hackathon offers a prize fund of 12,000 euros for the top three projects.

The goal of the hackathon is to develop electronic resources, such as computer games or interactive educational tools, that will:

• Raise awareness about media and information literacy.
• Equip media users with the skills needed to combat disinformation.

* Participants can present an existing product that is in the development stage, provided it gains additional functionality or value through the hackathon.

The hackathon will start on August 15 and will be held in a hybrid format, featuring both online learning components and on-site meetings. This setup will allow teams from any part of Georgia to participate.

The final event will take place on September 19-21 in Tbilisi, conducted in a physical format. The Media Development Fund (MDF) will provide transportation for the members of the finalist teams from various regions of Georgia.

Can I Participate in the Hackathon?

Any young person aged 15-35 can participate in the hackathon if they meet the following criteria:

• Are interested in digital technologies and believe these can be used to tackle significant challenges and solve problems.
• Register no later than August 30, 2024, either individually or with a team (teams can have up to 5 members) and share an outline of their idea in a simple electronic application form.
• Successfully pass the pre-selection process based on the application form review and be chosen as a hackathon participant.

Please note that, if necessary, the Hackathon mentor team may schedule a remote interview during the selection stage.

What to Expect from the Hackathon

During the hackathon, which will run for three days (September 19-21), the selected teams will work on the hackathon competition task together with professional mentors.

Participants will create prototypes of digital tools that align with the hackathon's theme and meet the criteria described below.

Hackathon Theme

• Raising awareness of media and information literacy in society.
• Combating disinformation and strengthening public resistance to it.

Criteria

During the hackathon, participants must complete the following tasks:

• Develop a prototype of a digital tool (e.g., game, application, website, chatbot, browser extension).
• Ensure the software product aligns with the goal and theme of the hackathon.
• Collaborate as a team to develop the software product during the hackathon.
• Create a short video clip showcasing the capabilities of the developed software product.
• Present their work to the jury in the form of a presentation at the hackathon final.
• Take into account the sustainability of the created product, whether the winning product will be able to exist and work effectively even after the budget is exhausted.

The Final

The hackathon final and the awards ceremony will take place in Tbilisi from September 19-21 in a physical format.

The Media Development Fund (MDF) will provide transportation for finalist teams traveling from other regions of Georgia.

During the final, the finalists will present their projects to the jury. The jury will then select 3 winning teams from among the finalists.

The Prize

The total prize fund for the hackathon is 12,000 euros, distributed in GEL (taxable amount).

The winning teams will receive:

• 1st Place:  5,000 euros equivalent in GEL (taxable amount)
• 2nd Place: 4,000 euros equivalent in GEL (taxable amount)
• 3rd Place: 3,000 euros equivalent in GEL (taxable amount)

Additionally, the winning teams will receive advice from a team of professional hackathon mentors during the implementation of their projects.

Important Information

Application Form: https://forms.gle/B7iQpK5Rn7TkiVsq9

Deadline for Applications: August 30, 2024

Orientation Meetings: Before presenting the final idea, several interactive live orientation meetings will be held. These sessions will provide an opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance from the Hackathon organizing team, including assistance with filling out the application.

Orientation meeting period

September 2-13.

Additional information and links to the orientation meetings will be posted on the Datafest Tbilisi, ForSet and Media Development Fund (MDF) website (www.mdfgeo.ge) and social media pages:

Facebook - @media development fund, MDF

X (twitter) - @mdfgeo

LinkedIn - @mdfgeo

Facebook - @DataFest Tbilisi

Instagram - @DataFest Tbilisi

LinkedIn - @DataFest Tbilisi

Facebook - @ForSet
Instagram - @ForSet
LinkedIn - @ForSet

It is crucial to fill out the application correctly, as it will be used to select the hackathon participants. Therefore, attending the orientation meetings is a valuable opportunity to ensure your application is completed properly and to clarify any questions you might have.

The event is part of the project "Quality Media and Conscious Media Consumption for a Sustainable Society (ConMeCo)," which is implemented by the Deutsche Welle Academy in collaboration with the Media Development Fund and the Human Rights Center. It is financially supported by the European Union and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation.

Please note that the content of the projects created by the winning teams is the responsibility of the authors and does not reflect the views of the EU or the German Federal Ministry.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. What is media literacy?
   Media literacy is the ability to access, critically analyze, evaluate, and create media products.
2. What is a hackathon?
   A hackathon is a competition where participants develop innovative technology-related projects over several days. During this event, teams work on their own project ideas and prototypes, which could include mobile applications, computer games, websites, and more. At the end, participants must present a working prototype of their project to the jury.
3. What is a prototype?
   A prototype is an electronic resource created using computer technology that is still in development but can be demonstrated. It includes at least a minimal portion of its functionality, allowing the jury to evaluate not just the idea but also its practical implementation potential.
4. How is the hackathon organized?
   The hackathon is centered around a specific theme or idea. Participants receive guidance from mentors throughout the event. Mentors meet with participants at scheduled times, known as checkpoints, to review progress, offer advice, and assist with challenges.