From 14 to 16 October 2024, Suva, Fiji, is hosting a unique international hackathon for women, organised by Riga TechGirls in collaboration with the Embassy of Latvia in Australia, with 20 participants in five teams

The initiative aims to promote female entrepreneurship and break stereotypes, as well as develop technologically innovative solutions. The hackathon supports the growth of women-owned businesses, provides a platform for collaboration and promotes a long-term initiative to strengthen innovation and support for women in Fiji and other Pacific Island countries after the event. It brings together activists, designers, developers and local authorities to promote the creation and development of new women-led businesses in Fiji and the Pacific. A few men have also expressed interest and are participating in the hackathon.

Latvia, where women’s representation in business and technology has grown rapidly, serves as a source of inspiration for Fiji, where women’s participation in technology is still just starting. Latvia’s experience shows that community support for women and community-supported initiatives can be an important driver of women’s participation in entrepreneurship. These activities aim to create an inclusive environment where teams of women leaders can collaborate and create innovative solutions.

The Women in Hackathon consists of two parts. The first part of the project takes place in Suva, Fiji. The second part will take place in Canberra, Australia, on 30 and 31 October, in collaboration with the Australian National University’s Pacific Institute. Women from the University of Samoa are planning to participate remotely in the second part of the project.

On the part of Riga TechGirls, the participants are supported by Anna Andersone and Pauls Siliņš, while Latvian start-up experts Zane Bojāre, Alise Dīrika, Līga Lētiņa, Līva Pērkone, Egita Poļanska and Elvīra Zaltāne are joining remotely as mentors. Riga TechGirls experts also provide the following workshops: design thinking, prototyping and developing presentation skills. The workshops give participants the opportunity to learn the digital skills needed to successfully develop ideas and prototypes.

During the hackathon, teams will generate ideas aimed at promoting internet access in Fiji’s harder-to-reach areas, develop platforms for selling eco-friendly products, find ways to communicate quality information about what is available on the islands to tourists, devise career-focused training provision and platforms to help promote local events.

In this way, Latvia not only ensures the presence of its country’s name and ideas in the region, but also demonstrates Latvia’s achievements in gender equality and its willingness to transfer its experience to developing countries. This initiative is a positive step and will serve as a good knowledge base to raise the profile of women-led start-ups in Fiji and possibly in the Pacific Islands region.

Background information

Riga TechGirls is an NGO that promotes women’s involvement in technology and entrepreneurship in Latvia through educational events, mentoring and inspirational activities. Its aim is to increase women’s digital skills and create an inclusive environment where everyone can successfully use technology in their work and everyday life. More at http://rigatechgirls.com/

The event was implemented as part of the public diplomacy programme in support of the lobby campaign of Latvia’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council.

The campaign under the motto of “Together for peace and resilience” aims at ensuring successful election of Latvia to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term in the 2025 election, at which Latvia is running for an elected member’s seat for the first time. Membership of the UNSC will be a key instrument in pursuit and protection of Latvia’s foreign policy interests, as well as making it possible for Latvia to expand the scale of its international cooperation and thereby contributing to world peace and resilience.