A Datathon is an event where people use data and technology to solve problems. Participants explore numbers, find patterns, and come up with creative solutions. It’s a great way to learn how data can address real-world challenges. You don’t need to be an expert-just curious and ready to learn. Inspired by the UN Datathon, the Maldives Datathon aims to address key national challenges by focusing on the localization of data-driven solutions that align with the country’s development priorities. Set against the backdrop of the Sustainable Development Agenda, the event will tackle critical issues within the national development priorities. Throughout the datathon, teams will have access to comprehensive datasets provided by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) and other official sources. This data will enable them to craft impactful solutions tailored to address specific labor market needs. Participants will focus on creating interactive dashboards, data visualizations, and analytical tools that offer actionable insights
The key objectives of the Maldives Datathon is
The datathon will include a preparatory phase with webinars and workshops, followed by an in-person hacking event in Malé. This hands-on phase will prioritize team collaboration, direct mentoring, and cross-team knowledge sharing, leading to the presentation of creative and practical solutions. Ultimately, the Maldives Datathon 2025 aims to demonstrate how data-driven strategies can bridge gaps in labor market information and set a standard for future initiatives in evidence-based policy-making and sustainable economic planning
Participation in the hackathon
13 hours over 2 Days
Day 1 – 9th Feb 2025: Intro session (2 hrs, 4-6 pm)
Day2 – 10th Feb 2025: (9 am – 8 pm)
Following the evaluation process, one best solution proposed by teams will be awarded with MVR 80,000
The datathon will focus on Labor Market issues within the society which caters to the data gaps identified in one of the National Development Priority areas. It will involve teams working on data analysis, visualization, and solution development to cater to the National Priority Labor force and Employment areas/Indicators
Labor Force and Employment in Maldives
A large portion of the labor force is made up of young people, creating both opportunities and challenges in terms of employment rates and skill development.
The Maldives employs a considerable number of foreign workers, particularly in the tourism and construction sectors. This reliance on expatriate labor can influence local employment dynamics.
Employment in the tourism sector has been the primary driver of job creation. The sector includes hotels, resorts, and related services. Economic fluctuations, such as those caused by global events, significantly impact employment levels.
There is an increasing emphasis on vocational training and skill development to meet the demands of the labor market, particularly in tourism and hospitality management.
Unemployment rates are generally low but can fluctuate based on seasonal sectoral demands and global economic conditions.
There is often a mismatch between the skills available in the labor force and the needs of employers, particularly in emerging sectors.
The heavy reliance on tourism makes the economy and labor market vulnerable to external shocks, such as global economic downturns or environmental challenges.
While women are increasingly participating in the workforce, there are still gaps in employment opportunities and wage disparities between genders.
The government and private sector are exploring ways to diversify the economy, which may lead to new employment opportunities in areas like renewable energy, fisheries, and technology.
Emphasizing sustainable tourism and environmental conservation may create new job opportunities while addressing ecological concerns.
Those working in informal employment are most vulnerable at times of crisis. Women are also known to heavily rely on informal employment.
Teams from across the Maldives compete for the best solution to the statistical challenge on promoting and filling Data gaps on Labor force statistics. The teams should develop innovative approaches, applications and data products combining official statistics and big data that can help to answer a key area to support a policy decision.
Teams will be challenged to design a creative analysis/dashboard/application that can assist the policy decision making process for an SDG or national priority area on Labor force statistics. It will be up to the team to choose their own policy question that they wish to answer with their application.
1. Relevance for Specific Policy Use (20%)
Definition: The extent to which the proposed solution addresses a well-defined labor market issue and aligns with national development priorities or specific policy needs or relevant SDGs.
Evaluation Factors:
Scoring:
2. Technical Execution (20%)
Definition: The degree of technical proficiency demonstrated in the implementation of the solution, including data analysis, coding, and the use of relevant technologies. Solutions should be technically sound, innovative, and demonstrate a strong understanding of data handling and processing.
Evaluation Factors:
Scoring:
3. Communication and Presentation (20%)
Definition: The clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of presenting the solution, including storytelling, data visualization, and its accessibility to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Effective communication should make complex data insights easy to understand and engaging.
Evaluation Factors:
Scoring:
4. Innovative Approach (20%)
Definition: The creativity and originality of the proposed solution, including the use of new technologies, approaches, or novel insights into labor market issues.
Evaluation Factors:
Scoring:
5. Replicability and Scalability (20%)
Definition: The extent to which the solution can be replicated or scaled across different regions, sectors, or datasets, and its potential for broader policy application.
Evaluation Factors:
Scoring:
Each criterion is evaluated on a 5-point scale, with a total maximum score of 25 points. The weight for each criterion is 20%, so the overall score will be a sum of all weighted criteria
Weighting:
1. Eligibility
2. Team Composition
3. Participation Format
4. Project Focus
5. Data Usage
6. Equipment and Tools
7. Code and Technical Checks
8. Presentation
9. Rights to the Final Product
10. Judging Criteria
11. Communication
12. Code of Conduct
13. Final Submissions
14. Disqualification