call for code
IBM
the challenge
The IBM global developer challenge asked practitioners and innovative thinkers to build their skills while helping save the planet. By using the latest cloud and AI technologies, developers could form teams to take action on climate change by partnering with key climate change champions at both the community level and in the policy-making sphere. The catch? In the thick of the pandemic lockdown, we needed to identify, invite, train, and equip influencers to independently create content in their area of expertise, all under a unified tone, look and feel —then bring the content to life in a campaign to compel developers to participate in the Call for Code challenge.
the insight
We need content from credible climate influencers, but our climate warriors are challenged by limited time and resources to spread their message; they may also feel a bit overwhelmed or intimidated to contribute content if they perceive the commitment demands to be too much from them. Depending on their level of proficiency with content creation, there is an opportunity to give form, guidance and consistency to how they package content.
the approach
In the 2021 Call for Code Global Challenge, developers were called upon to build back-end architecture to inspire massive change through front-end accessibility. To inspire developers to participate, we created a digital campaign that spoke to them through the influencers they follow. From activists to scientists and beyond, our goal was to make taking action feel more approachable by emphasizing that big problems can be broken down into smaller opportunities and atomic habits can make a macro impact on our world.
/ 01 MANIFESTO
line by line, layer by layer
From the outside, some challenges can seem complicated, dense — even impenetrable. But big problems can be broken down into smaller opportunities, and atomic habits can make a macro impact on our world. You can build back-end architecture that inspires massive change through front-end accessibility.
In the 2021 Call for Code Global Challenge, you can use technology to help people make positive change in their own ways, from providing clean water to reducing emissions and tackling hunger. It’s the right way to turn your platform into positive change, and build a new world, person by person.
Line by line, layer by layer.
/ 02 INFLUENCER PROGRAM
building an influencer program
To help achieve the goal of the Call for Code challenge, the assets we create with this guide should make our influencers’ audience feel compelled to act.
We must know what the Call for Code message means to a practitioner and how to prompt them to use their skills and get involved.
We must build a bond with an influencer and earn their confidence that this is a worthy platform through which to share their message.
/ 03 SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS
Lakshyana K.C. is one of the developers of ISAC-SIMO, a mobile app that helps communities detect construction dangers in residential areas that are at risk for natural disasters. Learn more about her experience as a Call for Code participant and as a woman in the technology industry.
David Katz is a Call for Code judge this year and the Founder and CEO of Plastic Bank. Plastic Bank builds ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities and reprocesses the materials for reintroduction into the global manufacturing supply chain. Learn more about David’s involvement in Call for Code and his contribution to the fight against climate change.
Albert Um, Analyst at Horizon Media, is a data science practitioner that began his data career with the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate through Coursera. Albert built an application leveraging data to predict wildfires in Australia. Learn more about Albert’s participation in the Call for Code challenge.
Lori Garver is a Call for Code judge this year and the CEO of Earthrise Alliance. Earthrise Alliance is a philanthropic organization that derives value from Earth system data to create relevant and actionable knowledge to combat climate change. Learn more about Lori’s involvement in Call for Code and her contribution to the fight against climate change.
Meet Salomé Valero who created Prometeo, the AI-based platform that uses IoT devices to track firefighters’ exposure to the smoke and toxins they inhale so they can be pulled from the field before their health is compromised.
