The “Anti-Corruption – Electoral Integrity” Hackathon, organized by H.A.N.A, marked a significant milestone for young innovators dedicated to combating electoral corruption through creative solutions.
This event brought together diverse groups of participants who presented their prototypes in the form of applications, awareness videos, websites, short films, podcasts, and visual materials. Throughout the competition, participants demonstrated remarkable creativity, technical skills, and a strong commitment to promoting electoral transparency.
The Hackathon was opened by Besmira Lekaj, Executive director of H.A.N.A Youth Center, who emphasized the importance of youth involvement in processes that promote electoral integrity.
The jury panel included Keler Sufja (Director of Youth, Education, and Sports in Lezhë Municipality), Elisa Nikolla (Lecturer at AB College, Kosovo), and Ditjon Celami (IT expert and founder of “Computer Service System – CSS”). Each of the jury members shared encouraging words to the participants.
Professor Jetmir Shtjefni, the Hackathon mentor, delivered an inspiring speech, encouraging participants and fostering a supportive environment.
Participants presented six different prototypes addressing various challenges related to electoral corruption:
1. JUSTICE NOW
- Created by “Problem Hacker” (Aleksandra Arapi & Anila Marku), this app helps citizens report cases of electoral corruption. It features informative content, resource materials, profiles of key figures in the field, a real-time discussion forum, and a “Live Protests” option to track ongoing protests. The team aimed to foster a community where people can easily communicate and engage.
2. ZËRI YNË, VOTA JONË
- Developed by “YouthElect” (Alessandra Frroku, Eva Marku & Agjela Gegaj), this awareness video informs young people about the importance of fair voting. As first-time voters themselves, the creators included data on voter turnout in Albania and called on their peers to vote responsibly for a better future.
3. NGRI ZËRIN TË DËGJOHESH
- “K&S Innovate” (Klea Ndoj & Samanta Ndoj) created this website to provide a platform for reporting incidents, centralizing electoral information, and educating voters on election day procedures. The site offers tips on avoiding irregularities and includes an empowering message to encourage voter participation.
4. PA FILTRA
- This impactful short film and podcast by “Pa Filtra” (Dea Simoni, Gerald Ndreca & Megi Coku) highlights the negative effects of electoral corruption through real-life narratives. The creators aimed to inspire integrity and justice through storytelling while fostering discussions among youth about electoral processes.
5. ZGJEDHJE ME INTEGRITET
- “FairVote” (Amelka Fasllia & Kjara Gjikolaj) designed an awareness poster featuring a QR code linking to a dedicated reporting platform. This platform offers flexible use for various elections, including parliamentary, local, university, and school elections. The accessible design ensures widespread usability across Albania.
6. ELEKTORIAL
- Developed by “TeamElektorIAL” (Kristi Gjoni, Aron Nikolli & Kostandinos Lalaj), this comprehensive website provides resources on potential election manipulation tactics and strategies to prevent them.
The jury assessed each prototype based on several key criteria:
- Innovation and Creativity – Originality and effectiveness in addressing electoral corruption.
- Relevance and Impact – Potential to create real change and raise public awareness.
- Technical Implementation – Quality and functionality of the technical aspects.
- User Experience and Design – Ease of use and intuitive navigation.
- Adaptability and Sustainability – Potential for long-term application and scalability.
- Presentation and Clarity – How well teams conveyed their ideas.
After thorough evaluation, the winners were announced:
- 3rd Place: “Problem Hacker” with the app JUSTICE NOW.
- 2nd Place: “Pa Filtra” with the podcast PA FILTRA.
- 1st Place: “TeamElektorIAL” with the website ELEKTORIAL.
All participants received certificates, and the winners were awarded symbolic prizes in recognition of their efforts.
The Hackathon concluded with heartfelt thanks to the organizers, mentors, and everyone who contributed to the event’s success. This initiative showcased the dedication and technical abilities of youth in leveraging technology and innovation to promote electoral integrity. Through their projects, these young participants demonstrated that youth engagement is crucial in the fight against corruption and the pursuit of a fairer, more transparent society.
The second edition of the Hackathon is organized by H.A.N.A with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania as part of the “THRIVE: Transforming and Harnessing Resources to Inspire and Empower Youth” program.
