PLEASE Project

PLEASE Hack is bringing young innovators from South Asia together for an epic Hackathon!

This is your chance to tackle plastic pollution in rivers and seas by creating game-changing solutions.

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Overview

PLEASE Hack, organized under the Plastic-free Rivers & Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, is a youth-driven initiative supported by SACEP, The World Bank, and UNOPS. It aims to inspire young people aged 18 to 28 from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to develop innovative solutions that tackle the critical issue of plastic pollution in rivers and seas.

This Hackathon offers a virtual, two-week collaborative platform for participants to work on projects in two main categories:

An innovative solution that can be used by citizens at household or community level as current users of plastics in their daily lives

An innovative solution that may be adopted by a micro, small and medium-scale Enterprise (MSME) that currently uses plastics in its production or distribution processes

A knowledge-sharing system through a website or mobile app (or both) that enhances consumer-level awareness of plastic use in daily life and helps them be more conscious of their plastic footprint, inspiring individual action

Participants will work with expert mentors, develop solutions, and compete for a chance to pitch at the final event in Sri Lanka, with the top two teams receiving funding to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Important Information

Important Dates

  • Application Opens: January 20th, 2025

  • Information Session: January 23rd & 30th 2025

  • Application Deadline: February 13th 2025

  • Selected participants onboarded: February 26th-28th 2025

  • Hackathon Start Date: March 3rd 2025

  • Hackathon End Date: March 14th 2025

  • Announcement of Finalists: March 21st 2025

  • Grand Finale held in Sri Lanka: April 6th 2025

Why Join

Create Impact

Contribute to real-world solutions that address plastic pollution, a pressing environmental issue in South Asia.

Learn and Grow

Develop critical skills like teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, guided by expert mentors.

Global Exposure

Gain international recognition, network with like-minded peers and specialists, and showcase your ideas on a prominent platform.

Shape the Future

Be part of the movement to transition South Asia into a circular economy, addressing plastic waste at its core.

Win Resources

Secure funding and mentorship to turn your innovative idea into a viable product within two months.

FAQs

The hackathon aims to engage youth from South Asia in developing innovative solutions to reduce plastic pollution in rivers and seas, fostering creativity and collaboration.

Participants must be aged 18 to 30 as of December 31, 2024, and citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka. They may reside anywhere in the world.

No, participation is limited to citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka, regardless of their current residence.

Yes, as long as you are a citizen of one of the eight eligible countries, you can participate even if you currently reside in another country.

You can participate individually or as a team of up to five members. Teams with mixed nationalities and gender diversity are encouraged.

Solutions should fall into one of these categories:
  • Category 1: Household or community-level solutions for plastic use reduction.
  • Category 2: Solutions for MSMEs using plastic in production or distribution.
  • Category 3: Knowledge-sharing systems (web/app) to raise awareness and reduce plastic footprint.

  • Registration: January 20 – February 13, 2025
  • Virtual Hackathon: March 3 – March 14, 2025
  • Finals: April 6, 2025

Registration links will be available on the PLEASE Project website. Detailed guidelines and resources, including the Hackathon Guidebook, will be provided upon registration.

The hackathon will primarily take place online via a dedicated virtual platform. Registered participants will access resources, submit concept notes, and participate in mentoring sessions and workshops through this platform. The final round will be held as a physical event in Sri Lanka.

Participants will have access to mentors specializing in relevant fields, knowledge-sharing sessions, and expert-led workshops on technical and presentation skills.

Solutions will be assessed on innovation, sustainability, affordability, accessibility, and alignment with the AIR (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) principles. Originality and scalability are also critical factors.

Resources include the Hackathon Guidebook, recorded knowledge-sharing sessions, mentor profiles, and additional reading materials on plastic pollution and innovative solutions.

First Place: $5,000 to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) within two months.
First Runner-Up: $1,000
Second Runner-Up: $500
Winners will also present their solutions at international events and may have opportunities for internships.

The hackathon is divided into several phases: promotion, registration, virtual hackathon with mentorship, and a physical final event in Sri Lanka.

Travel arrangements, including visas, accommodation, and insurance, will be supported by the organizers for participants selected for the final pitch in Sri Lanka.

While adaptations of existing solutions are allowed, the idea must be tailored to South Asia's context and meet the hackathon’s originality criteria. Plagiarism and IPR violations are strictly prohibited.

Participants whose solutions are not shortlisted will still gain valuable insights, mentorship, and resources through their participation.

Join the PLEASE youth innovation to tackle plastic pollution now!

The Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project is implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, funded by the World Bank, with implementing support from UNOPS.

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