Development 2.0 Challenge

United States Agency for International Development

Tech Competition for the Developing World

The Challenge

International development is too often top-down and insular, with development solutions being designed by experts and government officials without sufficient input from citizens, social entrepreneurs, or people in developing countries.

The Solution

The Development 2.0 Challenge invites people from around the world to submit ideas for solving a development challenge identified by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In 2008, the Development 2.0 Challenge looked for solutions in the mobile revolution. Even in the poorest communities in developing countries, many people have access to mobile phones and networks and are increasingly empowered to access, share, and use information to improve the quality of their lives. So, through the Development 2.0 Challenge, USAID sought innovative mobile phone applications to address critical development challenges. Reaching out to non-traditional groups – including students, budding social entrepreneurs, and individuals with great ideas – USAID received 115 submissions offering ideas for solving a development problem in every sector, including disaster management, health, agriculture, and education.

The Benefit

USAID’s Development 2.0 Challenge is a new way for the U.S. Government to identify compelling projects and ideas being developed around the world, to bring attention and support to the best, and to enable great innovators to collaborate with each other.

For more information, email commons@usaid.gov