Empowering Diaspora Communities in Germany
Autor: Ebube Sett Ofili, Team Lead, UNLEASH Hack Germany Organizing Team
UNLEASH Hack Germany: Diaspora Equity, gathered dynamic participants from across the country, each eager to address the pressing issue of reducing inequalities within diaspora communities. The program began with a panel discussion led by Experts and Facilitators who explored the vital contributions of diaspora communities to the German economy. The session underscored how these populations drive innovation and economic growth, while also highlighting the challenges.
Following the panel, participants were introduced to the UNLEASH Innovation Methodology, a structured process designed to help teams create impactful solutions. This year, the focus was on tackling UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities. Teams were trained in the use of design thinking, co-creation, and other tools to generate solutions that promote equity, accessibility, and sustainability.
The hackathon encouraged participants to form interdisciplinary teams and work intensively to create forward-thinking solutions aimed at reducing barriers for diaspora communities. These barriers included bureaucratic hurdles, social isolation, and limited access to civic participation. Over the course of the program, participants developed innovative projects designed to streamline bureaucratic processes and platforms that ease social integration and promote civic engagement.
By the end of the hackathon, participants had applied the UNLEASH Innovation Methodology to create unique solutions. Among them were ways to simplify government services for diaspora members and initiatives to foster cultural exchange and participation in public decision-making. These ideas were presented to a panel of judges, who assessed the solutions based on their impact, feasibility, and scalability.
“The Hack was a transformative experience that challenged us to rethink how diaspora communities can unite to focus on shared goals,” said Samruit Petros, one of the Experts. “The collaboration and innovation were truly inspiring.”
