In Brazil, a Hackaton to empower youth through technology and culture

As part of an inclusive programme for youth, the Hackathon brought together 225 high school students from public schools in Ribeirão Preto. Supported by INDIGO Foundation, this year’s edition focused on using technology to promote cultural practices, encouraging the participants to create innovative projects in fields such as audiovisual, graffiti, dance, and theater.

The event, held at the Dabi Business Park, is a part of Projete o Futuro, a comprehensive insertion program run by the Projete association involving around 1,000 young people in vulnerable conditions. since 2018, it has that has been helping students from public schools develop essential socio-emotional skills, or « soft skills ». This initiative is designed to prepare young people for the job market by offering free courses covering subjects like financial education, project management, and communication.

This year’s hackathon theme, “How to promote Brazilian artistic and cultural practices through technology”, aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as quality education, decent work, and sustainable cities. The students, working in teams, had eight hours to develop their projects, assisted by workshops focused on empathy, ideation, prototyping, and pitching.

In addition to these workshops, the event included activities to foster cultural reflection, such as artistic performances by the Toque na Lata music group, which uses recyclable instruments, and by CIA Minaz, renowned opera singers.