2023 Call for Code Global Challenge

The 2023 Call for Code Global Challenge is now open

Use your skills to take on sustainability issues, from developing clean energy solutions to improving access to resources and protecting biodiversity. You could win prizes and see your solution deployed to make a difference.

How to get involved

There are many ways to get involved with Call for Code, from contributing code to existing open source projects to participating in challenges. All developers and problem solvers are welcome to join the Global Challenge. New this year: Startups and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have new ways to engage. Pick the engagement that is right for you and build skills while making meaningful change.

The Challenge

Impactful sustainability actions are needed now to curb the worst consequences of climate change. To do the most good, sustainability solutions should have global potential, but they also need to benefit local communities, especially marginalized communities that are most often polluted or left out of policymaking. Technology is key, as open innovation can address sustainability challenges effectively and at scale.

We’re calling on teams of developers and problem solvers to build tech solutions that leverage IBM AI technologies to address specific global sustainability problems in clear and unique ways. By participating in the Global Challenge, in addition to the chance to win prizes and implementation support, you’ll gain skills in emerging tech like AI and machine learning and contribute to projects that have potential to help our planet.

How can technology improve sustainable resource management, reduce pollution, and protect biodiversity to create a greener future for all?

Your Global Challenge solution should address one of the diverse challenges of sustainability:

Improve the ability to measure, analyze, or take decisive action on carbon emissions

Improve access to affordable and reliable clean energy

Improve supply chain transparency and traceability to bring fast and accurate visibility to sustainability issues where they arise

Address issues of water scarcity and quality

Reduce volume of and demand for materials that create the biggest waste footprint (plastics, electronics, food, textiles), and encourage reuse/recycle opportunities

Build effective and efficient ways to quantifiably promote, preserve, and protect biodiversity

Reduce global food insecurity through, as examples, improvements to distribution or sustainable farming practices

Challenge Round prize winners

Developer teams

$10,000 USD

per region, where applicable*

Startup/Independent Software Vendor (ISV) teams

$10,000 USD

per region, where applicable*

University teams

1st place: $10,000 USD

2nd place: $5,000 USD

3rd place: $3,000 USD

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Grand prize winners

Developer team

$50,000 USD

Personalized IBM AI discussion

IBM executive meeting

Open source support from The Linux Foundation

Startup/Independent Software Vendor (ISV) team

$50,000 USD

Personalized IBM AI discussion

Assigned IBM mentor

University team

$50,000 USD

$30,000 grant for university

Explore IBM job opportunities

Assigned IBM mentor

Open source support from The Linux Foundation

All Grand Prize winners will also receive solution implementation support from the Call for Code ecosystem.

In addition to prizes, participants can grow their AI, cloud, and other emerging tech skills through access to expert technical mentors, training resources, and events.

Who should participate?

There are many ways you can build a great team, but the most successful teams often bring together diverse skill sets to design unique and impactful solutions. Consider problem-solvers with varied experience when assembling your team.

Registration is now open!