HAPPY NEW YEAR, FOLKS!
As we close 2024, we invite you to celebrate the incredible progress you’ve helped make possible in Pakistan’s civic tech journey. Thanks to your support, new partnerships and solutions are shaping a more promising future — one that you are directly helping to create. This season, we hope you feel the impact of your contributions: stronger communities, innovative solutions, and shared momentum toward lasting change. Wishing you a holiday season filled with connection, creativity, and purpose. Here are some highlights from this year, made possible by you!
January
I❤️Democracy We kicked off the year with Intikhabi Melas, empowering citizens to better understand their voter rights and enabling more informed and accessible electoral participation. Featured Project: Numainda, a tool for citizens to learn about the Constitution and their rights. | February
Red Carpet Moments 🌟 Our founder, Sheba Najmi, received the Hum Women Leaders Award 2024, spotlighting her trailblazing work in civic tech and empowering communities through innovation.✨ |
March
Jazz Hackathon 🚀 The 5G Jazz Hackathon brought together creative minds to explore the transformative potential of 5G technology across sectors like health, education, disaster management, and climate change, paving the way for innovative solutions to real-world challenges. | April
11 Years of Code for Pakistan! 🎂 🎉11 years of impact and innovation — thanks to you! 🎉 This year marked 11 years of driving civic innovation and meaningful change, thanks to your unwavering support. Together, we’ve facilitated 2.2 million users and improved access to the tools and information people need to make a difference. We’re excited to continue this journey with you. |
May
Building with AI & moving Karachi forward 🤖 The Build with AI Hackathon in Karachi spotlighted creative solutions like Karachi Chal, a collaborative project using technology to redefine local tourism and enhance community experiences. 🇲🇽 Through our talk at Tijuana Design Week, the gospel of civic tech was spread in new international places. | June
The Impacts of Civic Technology Conference 🇬🇧 In London, at mySociety's TICTeC — the global hub for civic tech practitioners — we presented our work; and ideas, innovations, and impact stories were exchanged. Here are some learnings we brought back for you all! 💂🏼♂️ Bonus read: What unfolds when Pakistani civic hackers step foot in the land of royalty for the first time? |
July
Wings of Nature Takes Flight 🦋 Did you know there are approximately 400 species of butterflies and moths in Pakistan? We didn’t either! We partnered with the Precision Medicine Lab to explore the incredible biodiversity of our natural habitats. Together, we’re working to help preserve it for future generations. 🤝 In partnership with the Gilgit-Baltistan PMRU, we developed a mobile app designed to help district administrators track KPIs and submit monitoring reports efficiently. | August
Websites, Floods & Climate Action 🔎 Watchtower, our volunteer-powered tool, is helping monitor the state of government websites to ensure greater accessibility and transparency. 💡 During the 2024 Balochistan floods, Floodlight was re-deployed to amplify relief efforts and help connect resources to those in need. |
September
Mapping for Good 🗺️ 📍 Pakistan’s first countrywide hybrid Mapathon united citizens to collaboratively map for positive change, demonstrating the power of community-driven solutions. ♻️ The Saaf Suthra Karachi event, held in partnership with the Climate Action Center Karachi, sparked vital conversations and initiatives for a cleaner, greener city. 🇺🇸 At San Diego Design Week, inspiring stories from our programs and from the Code for All network were shared, showcasing how design can drive societal impact. | October
Interns, Identity, & Impact 👩🏻💻 The call for applications opened for the 3rd cycle of the KP Women Civic Digital Internship, inviting aspiring women to build digital skills for civic impact. To inspire the next cohort, we hosted a webinar featuring alumni who shared their journeys and successes. 🇵🇹 In Portugal, at the International Observatory of Participatory Democracy Conference, we talked about changing the relationship between government and citizens. Watch here! 👨🏻💻 And we officially kicked off the 8th cycle of our KP Government Innovation Fellowship! |
November
Recognition at the Don Norman Design Awards Summit 🏆 🌍 Our initiatives received three Special Recognitions at the inaugural Don Norman Design Awards, which honored global design initiatives for social good. Sheba also delivered a keynote on how design can drive positive change in communities. 🚀 The Civic Innovator Program was launched to bring together government, academia, and industry, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges with innovative solutions. | December
Wrapping Up 🎁 🎤 Citizens in Islamabad came together in a Town Hall to discuss the ongoing VPN restrictions, fostering a meaningful conversation on digital rights in Pakistan. 🌟 At Startup San Diego, alongside other social good innovators, we shared thoughtful approaches to systemic challenges, using our KP Women Civic Digital Internship as a case study. From financial inclusion to sustainability, the session emphasized how collaboration and technology can create positive change. 🤝 Our incredible volunteers gathered nationwide to wrap up 2024 on a meaningful note — marked by achievements, collaborations, and a renewed drive to make a lasting impact. |
Thank you for your collaboration and for being an essential part of driving the work of civic good. Here's to building a brighter, more inclusive future together!
With much gratitude,
The Code for Pakistan Team
Questions, feedback, or suggestions? Email us at info@codeforpakistan.org