Good morning! This month, we’re excited to introduce the 8th cohort of Code for Pakistan Fellows, as they embark on a journey of civic impact across KP and beyond.
Read on to see how they’re creating change and learn about some exciting developments across our programs.

📋In This Issue

• Fellowship Updates
• International News
• Resources & Learning

Meet the Fellows!

Our KP Government Innovation Fellowship is now in its eighth cycle, launching 20 Fellows from across KP, achieving a 100% women quota. The Fellows are diving into real-world challenges in civic tech, starting with an intensive boot camp covering Agile Development, Design Thinking, Civic Tech fundamentals, and essential tools for collaboration—setting them up for the impactful roles ahead.

Program Impact and Project Highlights

Here’s how our Fellows are driving meaningful change:

• Supporting Farmers with Pest & Disease Detection
  A mobile app, being developed with the Agriculture Research Department, will enable farmers to identify crop diseases and pest outbreaks, providing instant remedies to enhance yields across KP.

• Digitizing Water Billing for Better Revenue Collection
  Partnering with the Irrigation Department, Fellows are creating a streamlined Abiana billing system, making water bills easier to pay and enhancing transparency for farmers.

• Efficient NGO Management through Digital Registration
  Fellows are digitizing the registration and renewal process for over 1,400 NGOs in KP, working with the Social Welfare Department to ensure accurate and accessible records.

• Launching Government GPT for Public Information
  Using AI, Fellows are building an assistant that answers public and government queries on KP's rules and services, making information access simpler and faster.

• Detecting Fake News for Public Safety
  This project leverages AI to monitor social media for misinformation and threats, enabling quick responses to maintain public safety. The tool is equipped with Urdu-English translation and Pashto support for regional relevance.

In their first month, Fellows have already established strong foundations, meeting with department leads, defining project scopes, and conducting initial user research to ensure solutions meet real needs. Their work exemplifies our mission: creating a public service that’s transparent, efficient, and accessible to all.

📖 Feature Story

Read the first edition of our new series, featuring stories of the makers, thinkers, and designers driving our Civic Tech projects in the KP Government Innovation Fellowship Program.

KP’s Next Generation of Civic Change Makers #1

🌏 International Highlights 

This month, our Founder and Executive Director, Sheba Najmi, joined civic leaders at the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) conference in Valongo, Portugal. Sheba joined a panel with the theme Populist Threats: Building Democratic Resilience with Participatory Communities, spotlighting Code for Pakistan’s Government Innovation Fellowship and the impact of civic tech in reshaping relationships between citizens and government. Through digital tools and community-driven initiatives, Sheba emphasized how building transparency and trust fosters democratic resilience in Pakistan—a message that resonated with the conference’s global audience.

Watch Sheba's Talk

🚀 Opportunities: WE ARE HIRING! 

• Are you a skilled wordsmith with a passion for making a social impact? Do you have a knack for crafting compelling narratives that can open doors to new opportunities? We are looking for a talented and experienced Grant Writing Consultant! 
• Are you passionate about creating tangible, lasting change in communities across Pakistan? Do you believe in the power of data to tell compelling stories of progress and impact? We are looking for a proactive, enthusiastic Impact Assessment Specialist!

Become a Speaker!

Are you a tech professional ready to make a difference? Join us as a speaker for the KP Women Civic Digital Internship! Share your expertise, guide emerging talent, and help shape impactful solutions for the public good. Apply now to support the next generation of women civic tech leaders!

Apply Now 

Resources & Learning

This Month's Picks: Books and Podcasts to Inspire Civic Innovation
Dive into thought-provoking insights on democracy, governance, and civic change:

• 🎧 Podcast: City Times Sound - San Diego with Sheba Najmi
  In this podcast, Sheba Najmi discusses the role of civic tech in creating inclusive cities and the transformative power of community-led design.

• 📖 Book of the Month: Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable, Humanity Centered by Don Norman – Drawing from decades of experience across engineering, psychology, computer science, and design, Norman calls for a shift from human-centered to humanity-centered design. He argues that designers, governments, and industries must prioritize quality of life over monetary gain, rejecting harmful economic metrics to address today’s environmental and economic crises.

Stay inspired and informed with these resources as we continue working toward a more democratic and inclusive society.