The 2018 Policy Hack: Design, Build, Change is the first hackathon of its kind in the province designed to generate real ideas and real solutions to policy challenges.
This five-week event is the result of a first-time partnership between the Province of Prince Edward Island, Veterans Affairs Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Startup Zone.
What is a policy hack?
A policy hack is a relatively new way of bringing people together to share ideas and develop solutions to pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. In PEI, the case competition is inspired and modelled on similar competitions organized by Nova Scotia and New Brunswick governments.
The pinnacle of the hackathon is the pitch session - a concept not new to anyone who has watched ‘Dragon’s Den’.
In the weeks leading up to the pitch competition, the program is all about fast-paced learning and researching, networking, creative thinking and teamwork. Ten teams of 3 to 5 are made up from a diversity of public sector employees from federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as a number of private sector entrepreneurs. Each team also has a coach versed in policy development.
The hackathon also includes guest speakers with expertise in human centered design, collaboration, as well as presenting and pitching – all critical skills to be applied to the respective case studies and the finale-pitching event.
The Hackathon will wrap up on Friday, June 8 with a juried case competition. The 2018 Policy Hack Champions will be announced and recognized during the 2018 Public Service Week awards ceremony. Stay tuned!