Co‑op Hackathon 2024 projects announced

Following a call out for ethical digital ideas, Co‑operatives UK is proud to announce the exciting projects that will be developed at the Co‑op Hackathon on 8-9 May in Manchester. 

This FREE event aims to boost collaborative tech within the co‑op movement – and bring co‑operators together to develop digital solutions that benefit co-ops and society in general. 

It will build on the success of the first Co-op Hackathon, held in October 2023, which saw teams develop open source AI, as well as digital projects tackling poverty and the climate crisis – and offering alternative solutions for housing and education. 

More innovative ideas will be developed at this year’s event, many of which focus on empowering, supporting and connecting communities, localities and individuals.  

Rose Marley, Co‑operatives UK’s CEO, said: “Yet again, we’ve had an amazing response to our call out for projects for the Co‑op Hackathon.  

“I can’t wait to see how these exciting digital projects develop in the capable hands of the skilled co‑operators who’ll be taking part in the hackathon.” 

Projects at the Co-op Hackathon 

Air Register for co‑ops: Finalising a more powerful open-source version of the Air Register app. Since 2021, over 100 co‑operative and community benefit societies have accessed the initial release of AirRegister on Airtable, to help manage their share register.

Connected Through Support: An app to make information on services more accessible to women experiencing homelessness in Great Manchester, breaking down the barriers that many face when accessing support.  

Equal Care Co‑op: Improving the UK’s first digital platform-based social care and support co‑op, including wireframing new or existing features and implementing user interface and backend improvements.

Fuelcoop: Upgrading technology to support fuel supplies to people in rural areas of East Sussex who are dependent on home heating and oil/domestic kerosene for heat, hot water and cooking.

FundingTech: A platform that helps users find funding for tech projects, oriented to users who work in social causes. FundingTech can help find grants, donors and investors. 

Residents Society Estate Management: An online facilities management space for the residents of a co‑owned housing estate to collaborate and co-operate on the running of the estate.

Remote Platform from The Impact Collective: A digital platform that allows diverse stakeholders to create, develop and join projects that address systemic problems in their local area.  

SherlockAI: An inclusive AI guidance platform that provides coaching, advocacy and tailored access to vital support services, bridging the digital divide for socially excluded individuals. 

Signalise: Working to develop and integrate community chat tools into this platform, which connects deaf people, interpreters and health care providers to deliver sign language interpreting. 

The Stoke Model: Developing tech to support the aims of the #bekind community benefit society. The Stoke Model is their interpretation of genuine community wealth building, with six key elements that can be developed across any setting.

There are still other ways to get involved 

Passionate, skilled people still required 
The hackathon still needs people with digital or creative skills and a passion for collaborative tech to be part of the teams developing the ideas. Book onto the Co‑op Hackathon. 

Attend the final presentations 
You don’t have to attend the hackathon but can sign-up to attend the final presentations and networking at the end of the second day. Register to attend the presentations. 

The Co‑op Hackathon takes place on 8-9 May at Manchester Metropolitan University, Grosvenor East Building, Cavendish St, Manchester M15 6BG.  

It is being delivered by Co‑operatives UK in partnership with The Co‑operative Bank – supporting fair and ethical business together. 

It is also in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Design Factory. This new initiative aims to open-up opportunities for students and researchers from any discipline by developing innovative partnerships with businesses across Greater Manchester.