Revolutionize News Delivery: Join ICFJ's Solutions Challenge 2024!

Calling all media innovators, tech wizards and creative problem-solvers! 

Are you ready to combat disinformation and transform how news reaches audiences worldwide? The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) invites you to be part of Disarming Disinformation’s Solutions Challenge 2024.

We are seeking experienced professionals to submit ideas, concepts or vision statements that answer this question: How can news publishers leverage new technologies and novel approaches to more effectively reach target audiences, particularly those most vulnerable to disinformation, with quality news and information?

The Mission
Develop cutting-edge solutions to help news publishers reach audiences vulnerable to disinformation using the latest technologies and innovative approaches.
 

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Who We're Looking For

• Media professionals
• Technologists
• Software developers
• Engineers
• Artists
• Lawyers
• SEO experts
• Educators
• Anthropologists
• ...and more!

The Journey

1. Online Application: Submit your visionary idea.
2. Virtual Workshops: Refine your concept with expert guidance.
3. Solutions Sprint: Join us in Istanbul for an intensive, four-day sprint. During the sprint, participants will work with expert mentors to develop their idea through ideation, design, prototyping and testing into a viable product/service for news publishers.
4. Product Development: Selected ideas will receive grant funding of up to $20,000 and expert mentorship to transform their prototype into reality. 

Why Participate?

• Turn your innovative idea into a working prototype.
• Win grant funding to develop your solution.
• Collaborate with global experts and like-minded innovators.
• Make a real impact in the fight against disinformation.

Please note: We are NOT looking for fact-checking initiatives or training programs that help people identify disinformation; tutorials of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Pinpoint etc.; nor investigative story ideas.

Eligibility Criteria

These eligibility criteria ensure that participants selected for the sprint meet the necessary qualifications, exhibit a passion for innovation and demonstrate a commitment to tackle disinformation. In addition you must have the following: 

1. Citizenship/Residency: Applicants can be a citizen and resident of any country in the world, but must have a valid passport (with at least six months validity) to participate in the in-person sprint from Dec. 9-12, 2024.
2. Availability: Participation in seven online workshop sessions between Nov. 7 and Dec. 3, full participation in the three-day sprint event from Dec. 9 to Dec. 12, 2024, and any virtual engagements or preparations leading up to the event.
3. Language Proficiency: Proficient in English, as this will be the primary language used during the Solutions Challenge.
4. Team: You can apply as an individual or a team. If applying as a team, only one member needs to fill out the application. You can have up to five primary team members.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: Oct. 16, 2024
• Virtual Workshops: Nov. 7 - Dec. 3, 2024 (on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
• Istanbul Solutions Sprint: Dec. 9-12, 2024

Don't miss this chance to shape the future of news delivery. Apply now and be part of the solution!
 

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The Solution Challenge is an initiative of the Disarming Disinformation program, a three-year global project run by ICFJ with lead funding by the Scripps Howard Fund. Between 2022 and 2025, the program will have invested $3.8 million on solutions that effectively push back against disinformation. The Solutions Challenge 2024 is made possible with additional funding support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.