TechCamp Cyprus
We are pleased to accept applications for 2018 TechCamp Cyprus, which will take place in Nicosia, Cyprus from December 7-9, 2018. The program is co-organized by the Department of State’s International Information Programs, the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus and the American Center at the University of Nicosia.
TechCamp Cyprus aims to help Cypriot and European youth to become better democratic citizens now and in the future, responding to the challenges of the increasing influence of digital media and taking advantage of the opportunities it offers. Through fast-paced, interactive workshops, participants will engage with international industry leaders to improve their digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and technology skills and to learn methods of recognizing and countering disinformation. The event will accept participations from Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Moldova, Serbia and Turkey.
What is a TechCamp?
TechCamp is not a hackathon, a conference, or a training session. Each participant will work with professionals and other participants to develop a solution to a current problem. During the two-day program, private sector technology experts will work with participants in small-group workshops to learn new skills.
TechCamps are focused on results, with participants identifying real-world challenges and working in partnership with private sector trainers to apply technology solutions to these challenges. The TechCamp will also include support for post-workshop activities that enable participants to put their solutions to work in their communities.
Who is Our Ideal Participant?
We are looking for young civil society leaders between the ages of 18 and 35, who want to use technology to increase their effectiveness as democratic citizens and to amplify the impact of the TechCamp in their communities. This would include individuals from the following groups, who can help achieve the above objectives through:
- their position in an organization that works in this area;
- their role as a key influencer in this area; or
- their previous actions, contributions, or research in disinformation/malign influence.
Requirements for Participants
To be considered, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, highly proficient in English and reside in one of the countries listed at the top of the page.
Examples of participants might include:
- Young individuals with an established community leadership role or who are working for an organization that promotes media literacy/designs programming on this topic for youth,
- Social media opinion makers/influencers
- Civil society organizations and leaders who work with youth on this issue
- Aspiring citizen journalism students or organizations that train citizen journalists
- Social entrepreneurs working to promote media literacy
What You Will Gain
TechCamp Cyprus will be a hands-on, highly interactive two-day event where you will interact with world-class trainers through a series of training and brainstorming sessions resulting in innovative solutions to real challenges our participants face in their work. We aim to connect you with technologists and experts to develop cutting-edge and data driven solutions to the challenge of becoming better democratic citizens in a digital world.
Throughout the two days, we will explore ways that you can dig deeper and create solutions to challenges you face in the modern media landscape. The intent of TechCamp Cyprus is to equip youth civic leaders, social media influencers, civil society organizations, and other key influencers around the region with powerful tools to identify and expose fake news, grow digital literacy, and increase cybersecurity awareness.
Post-TechCamp Activities & Funding
TechCamps are focused on results, with participants identifying real-world challenges and working in partnership with private sector trainers to apply technology solutions to these challenges. TechCamp Cyprus will include financial and other support for post-workshop activities that enable participants to put their solutions to work in their communities.
A minimum of $20,000 will be dedicated to supporting the most promising solutions that participants come up with during the 2-day event and hands-on workshops. All follow-on activities will take place in 2019, during which time participants will collaborate with their team members from the various participating countries.
Event Details
What:
TechCamp Cyprus
Where:
University of Nicosia, Cyprus
Date:
December 7-9, 2018
Cost:
Free! Your travel, lodging and meals will be covered
Participate in TechCamp Cyprus
Applications must be submitted no later than November 12th, 2018 for participants from Cyprus. For questions, please contact the University of Nicosia. More information about TechCamps can be found at the official TechCamps website.