Detailed Information

IEEE Region 8 and Tech4Good are partnering to conduct a collaborative call for proposals to support SIGHT Groups (and prospective SIGHT Groups) in Region 8 who would like to address local community challenges.

Overview: IEEE R8 HTAC takes a futurist approach aiding the development of innovative methods to support underserved communities within the region in addressing needs to improve livelihood. The core aim of this call for proposals is to support SIGHT Groups in the region with great initiatives and creative technological solutions for local communities. Proposed solutions must have a sustainability plan in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Funding: Grants for micro-projects will be provided between US$1,000 and US$5,000 per project. Project implementation plans may be up to six months following the project start date.

Deadline: 6 September 2024

Capacity Building Webinar Series

The R8 HTAC scheduled a series of Capacity Building Webinars to support applicants interested in the 2024 Community Support Program call. These webinars focus on practical aspects associated with preparing and implementing projects supporting local communities through appropriate use of technological innovation. In detail:

• Webinar 1 – Community Support Program – Focus and Objectives
• Webinar 2 – Needs Assessment and Community Engagement
• Webinar 3 – Designing a Community Support Implementation Plan and Budget
• Webinar 4 – Impact Assessment

The Region 8 Humanitarian Activities Congress brings together SIGHT group members, humanitarian technology enthusiasts, and community development advocates from across Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Attendees have the opportunity to share results, lessons learned, and experiences, and to discuss and address various humanitarian and community development projects, promoting the use of technology for social good. This year, it will be held in parallel with the IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IEEE IHTC) at Politecnico di Bari (Bari, Italy) on November 27-30, 2024.

Deadline: 21 August 2024

In-person Participation Eligibility

In-person participation to the Congress will be fully funded along with 3-days of stay in Bari, Italy (shared rooms) to a limited number of participants with the following criteria to be applied:

• Only one applicant per SIGHT group will be considered in the first selection round.
• An endorsement letter from the SIGHT group or Section Chair must be provided.
• Priority is given to SIGHT group officers.
• The SIGHT group must have submitted at least two events in the past 12 months on vTools Events or been formed in 2024.
• The SIGHT group must have a minimum of 6 registered IEEE and SIGHT members.
• The SIGHT group of the applicant must have duly reported all main officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) on vTools Officers with a term starting date not older than January 1st, 2023.

If your application for funding is accepted:

• You will be required to contribute to the Congress program by providing a presentation or designing a poster about your SIGHT group or your humanitarian project following organizers directions.
• Participation is compulsory; missing the Congress will disqualify your SIGHT group from any R8 HTAC programs (i.e., Community Support Program, SIGHT Groups Accelerator Program, etc).

If your application for funding is rejected:

• You will not be granted a funded registration for in-person participation at the Congress.
• You may still register as a virtual participant for the Congress (we will inform you when this opportunity will become available).
• You may also register and attend the IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IEEE IHTC).

Please note that priority for funding will be given to the most active SIGHT groups and the newest, as well as for those who contributed to successful humanitarian projects in the recent past. We aim to reward a diverse audience including those who contributed already and inspire the next generation of contributors towards the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies vision.

Sessions

Workshop on SIGHT Groups Activities, Operations, and Management

• Learn how to start and operate a SIGHT Group
• Share information and resources on humanitarian technology and sustainable development projects
• Collaborate with local communities and industries

Ignite Session on SIGHT Group Stories to Inspire and Get Inspired

• SIGHT groups will share their inspiring stories and experiences
• Exchange lessons learned and best practices among peers across the Region

Ignite Session on Humanitarian Project Opportunities and Successfully Implemented Projects

• Project leaders will share their journey from application submission to project closure
• Discuss various humanitarian and community development projects in the Region
• Promote the use of technology for social good

Workshop on Humanitarian Projects Planning and Execution

• Identify community challenges and explore IEEE humanitarian technology programs
• Guide participants on preparing project proposals for IHT programs
• Focus on sustainable development and effective collaboration with local communities

Important Dates

• Funding Application Period: from 1st to 21st August 2024
• Application Results Announcement: released before 7th September 2024

DISCLAIMER: The dates and values shown above are subject to change

The Humanitarian Student Ambassadors Program is a new collaborative program between the IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technology Activities Committee and the IEEE Region 8 Student Activities Committee targeted at keeping an eye on each corner of Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The program aims to increase awareness and knowledge about humanitarian technologies, increase the humanitarian impact of student groups, and encourage the establishment of new SIGHT groups.

Deadline: 26 April 2024

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The following criteria must be met for applying to be an ambassador:

• Be an active student in an active IEEE Student Branch;
• Be an active IEEE and SIGHT member;
• Dedicated to work for 2-4 hours a week.

Applications will be reviewed using the following criteria:

• Endorsement letter from the Student Branch Chair or Counselor (optional);
• Statement on what the IEEE humanitarian activities are for you;
• Statement on how you plan to help contribute to IEEE humanitarian efforts;
• Position statement on why you are applying.

Timeline and Process

• Submit your application here
• Application portal open until April 26th
• Applications reviewed until late April
• Selection notification will be sent on early May
• Training sessions via on-demand videos will take place on mid May
• Successful ambassadors list announced in late May
• Group meetings with all ambassadors to take place every 2 months
• Complete activities and receive badges for your work
• Ambassadors term end in late November 2024

Available Badges

• SIGHT 101
• SIGHT Activities
• Humanitarian Projects 101
• Implementing a Project
• Communication and Publicity
• Establishing Collaborations
• Special Badges

Professional SIGHT groups

Student SIGHT groups

The IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technologies Hackathon is meant to foster competition amongst different R8 members, through their solutions to specific humanitarian needs around SDGs in the Region. In groups of 2-4, participants are encouraged to solve a given real-world humanitarian challenge and develop technology-driven solutions, that will allow them to build their teamwork skills and network with like-minded students, young professionals, and mentors. Submissions will consist of a short proposal showing evidence of how each solution could be achieved, accompanied by a short video encapsulating the essence of the proposed solution.

Deadline: 7 May 2024

Challenges

The teams will be asked to propose solutions in the following areas (challenges):

• Quality Education (SDG 4)
• Clean Water & Sanitation (SDG 6)
• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) – focusing on ICT and Digital Connectivity

The proposed solutions will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Effectiveness & Collaboration
• Innovation & Originality
• Sustainability & Finance
• Presentation

Participation Eligibility

• Only requirement to have an amazing idea!
• Students, Graduate Students, and Young Professionals from Region 8 Only [Middle East, Africa and Europe] can participate.
• Participants should be in teams of 2-4 members.
• At least one of the team members to be a SIGHT member and one to be registered in the IEEE R8 SYP Congress.
• Each team must be linked to one OU (SIGHT Group / Section / Student Branch).
• Each team can submit solutions to all different challenges, but only the best one counts.
• One representative per team should register and fill in details of other team members.

Winning Rewards

The best five (5) solutions are expected to be presented during the Hackathon Day in-person during the IEEE R8 SYP Congress! Their teams will receive a certificate, while the affiliated OUs of the best three (3) teams will be granted with a seed funding in order to host humanitarian technologies and sustainable development activities. Special seed funding rewards may be granted to the best solutions of each challenge. More details about winning rewards will be provided closer to the Hackathon Day!

Important Dates

• Registration deadline: May 7th
• Notification of qualified teams: before May 14th
• Training of qualified teams: before May 21st
• Challenge selection: before May 21st
• Solutions submission: before May 28th
• Finalists announcement: before May 31st
• Hackathon Day: July 15th to 19th

The IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technology Activities Committee (R8 HTAC) provides seed funding to the Region 8 SIGHT groups to support their upcoming year’s activity through the SIGHT Groups Accelerator Program. The amount of the funding corresponds with their humanitarian efforts and the quality and amount of completed activities of the past year.

Following up the pilot support from HTB to this program, the SIGHT committee has decided to introduce the IEEE SIGHT Group Activity Initiative. As such, we are very happy to announce that the active SIGHT groups can receive their base funding directly though HTB/SIGHT! Therefore, we strongly suggest active SIGHT Groups to first apply for funds on the HTB Online Funding Opportunities Portal and secondly, apply for the additional funds through our IEEE Region 8 SIGHT Groups Accelerator Program.

Opening: 1 October 2025 / Deadline: 31 October 2025

Goals

The SIGHT Groups Accelerator Program aims to:

• provide funding to organize more SIGHT activities;
• help to evaluate the health of the SIGHT groups;
• promote good practices of active SIGHT groups.

Rules

All active SIGHT groups established for at least one calendar year (12 months) with properly reported activities from 1 November 2024 till 31 October 2025 can apply for the SIGHT Groups Accelerator Program funding. A SIGHT group must fulfill the following Membership and Reporting Requirements to receive funding:

• vTools Events Reporting (at least 2 activities during the mentioned period)
• vTools Officer Reporting (up-to-date roster following the HTB/SIGHT guidelines)
• R8 SIGHT Groups Self-assessment Reporting (successfully submitted before application submission deadline)

Judging & Submissions

Criterion 1. Improve visibility

• Shared SIGHT group story in local media.
  • Description: That could be in journals, on TV, on blogs, on radio stations, or somewhere else.
  • Submission: Link to the shared story or scan of journal news.
• Shared SIGHT group story on social media.
  • Description: That could be on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok, or somewhere else.
  • Submission: Link to the shared story.
• Recorded promo video of a SIGHT group.
  • Description: The promo video should depict SIGHT group activities or encourage new members to join them.
  • Submission: Link to the published video.
• Promoted SIGHT group at the IEEE or local event.
  • Description: Promotion of its activities on IEEE day, SIGHT day, faculty day, etc.
  • Submission: Link with photos of the team at the event.
• Submitted article for the R8 News through Humanitarian Voices.
  • Description: Article(s) publication for activities in Region 8 News through R8 HTAC Humanitarian Voices.
  • Submission: Copy of Humanitarian Voices form submission.
• Submitted article for the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Newsletter.
  • Description: Article(s) publication for activities in the IHT Newsletter.
  • Submission: Copy of the newsletter with the published article highlighted.

Criterion 2. Participate in the activities of the IEEE R8 Humanitarian Technology Activities Committee

• Organized a Webinar during a Connecting Humanitarian Experts Week.
  • Description: SIGHT group participated in a CHE week organizing a webinar.
  • Submission: Certificate of appreciation.
• Attended Connecting Humanitarian Experts Webinars.
  • Description: Member(s) attend one or more R8 HTAC webinars.
  • Submission: Copy of submitted feedback form.
• Participated in the Humanitarian Student Ambassadors Program.
  • Description: Member(s) participated in the program and obtained badge(s).
  • Submission: Obtained badges.

Criterion 3. Organize events and activities

• Applied for Project Funding in an IEEE Tech4Good CFP.
  • Description: Submitted project proposal to an IEEE Tech4Good Call for Proposals or to the R8/T4G joint call for the Community Support Program.
  • Submission: Proposal submission confirmation email.
• Successfully implemented Humanitarian Technology and Sustainable Development Projects.
  • Description: Carried out a humanitarian and sustainable project with an impact on the targeted community (funded or not funded).
  • Submission: PDF project report (template will be provided).
• Organized Training and Professional Development Activities.
  • Description: In accordance with the SIGHT Toolkit (e.g., sustainable development and humanitarian technologies seminars, human-centered and community-based solutions workshops, and social impact project management and assessment workshops).
  • Submission: vTools Events link AND link with photos PER activity.
• Organized activities that built the internal capacity of your SIGHT group.
  • Description: In accordance with the SIGHT Toolkit (e.g., recruiting new members, engaging current volunteers, and conducting team-building activities).
  • Submission: vTools Events link AND link with photos PER activity.
• Organized IEEE SIGHT Day event.
  • Description: A SIGHT Day event within its area of interest.
  • Submission: vTools Events link AND link with photos.
• Organized STEM Activities for pre-university students.
  • Description: A humanitarian-oriented activity targeting pre-university students in STEM.
  • Submission: vTools Events link AND link with photos PER activity.

Criterion 4. Collaborate with stakeholders

• Collaboration with local community/government, industry, and organization(s).
  • Description: It could be established through granted sponsorship, hosted events, invited speakers from a company, etc.
  • Submission: Evidence of collaboration (Letter, sponsorship granted, etc).
• Collaboration with NGOs and/or NPOs.
  • Description: It could be established through granted sponsorship, hosted events, invited speakers, etc. NGOs: Non-governmental organizations; NPOs: Nonprofit organizations.
  • Submission: Evidence of collaboration (Letter, sponsorship granted, etc).
• Collaboration with local IEEE organizational unit(s).
  • Description: Collaboration with local IEEE Section or Student Branches, Affinity groups, Chapters, SIGHT Groups, etc.
  • Submission: vTools Events link AND link with photos PER collaboration.
• Collaboration with other non-local IEEE organizational unit(s).
  • Description: Collaboration with IEEE Sections, Student Branches, Affinity groups, Chapters, or SIGHT Groups from outside the SIGHT group’s Section.
  • Submission: vTools Events link AND link with photos PER collaboration.

Other Activities

• Any other activity done by the SIGHT group aligned with the vision and mission of the IEEE Region 8 Humanitarian Technology Activities Committee.

Notes

vTools Events report should include at least the following items:

• Title, date/time, venue, and hosts
• Event description, and agenda
• Attendance report submitted

Funding

Every SIGHT group that completes the application and complies with the Rules is eligible for funding of up to $300. The final funding is calculated under two categories (Criteria and Ranking Funding) and depends on application count and budget availability. Following SIGHT guidelines, the funding will be transferred to the affiliated Section bank account for the use of the respective SIGHT group.

Criteria Funding (up to $150): A SIGHT group chooses the activities it wants to carry out during the period determined in the Rules section. The possibilities are listed in the Judging section. The more criteria you meet, the more funding you can get.

Ranking Funding (up to $150): Want to compete with other SIGHT groups and be publicly exposed as one of the most active ones? The more activities you undertake, the more funding you can receive! It’s a unique opportunity to support your efforts with funding and propel your projects to new heights.

Outcome Reporting: A brief report explaining the usage of the funds should be submitted on a quarterly basis for the upcoming year.

Important Dates

• Application submission portal open: 1 October 2025
• Activities considered during the following period: 1 November 2024 – 31 October 2025
• Deadline for application submission: 31 October 2025 – 23:59 (GMT)
• Results announcement: 21 November 2025

Theodoros Chatzinikolaou

Chair – Greece Section

Theodoros is, currently, PhD Candidate in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the Democritus University of Thrace, and has received his Engineering Diploma with Integrated Master from the aforementioned Department. As an active IEEE volunteer, he strongly believes he can create a valuable impact on humanity and society via engineering through volunteerism, and, thus, he is, currently, the Humanitarian Activities Chair in IEEE Region 8. He has served various IEEE OUs including MGA SAC, his Region as Student Representative, as well as his local Student Branch by chairing it once, mentoring it twice, and distinguishing it as Exemplary four times.

Abdullateef Aliyu

Past-Chair – Nigeria Section

Abdullateef is the General Manager of projects in Phase 3 Telecom, an aerial fiber-optic network infrastructure provider in West Africa, He is also a Senior Vice President of IEEE Smart Village and Currently chairs the IEEE Region 8 Students Activities Committee as Vice Chair of Student activities. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bayero University Kano (BUK), and master’s in ICT from the Northern University of Malaysia with Honors. He is an Alumnus of the United States telecommunication training institute (USTTI), Washington DC. He joined phase 3 Telecom in 2013 where he helped deployed numerous high-profile projects in Nigeria and across Sub-Sahara Africa for Mobile Network Operators (MNO) and led the implementation of the Phase 3 telecom 100G transmission network across Nigeria. He is a recipient of several awards and recognitions that include and not limited to the Leadership and Innovative Award by Phase 3 telecom in 2022, the Best Creativity Award by Phase 3 Telecom in 2022, the Excellence in leadership Award 2022 by IEEE Smart Village, the Award of Excellence by IEEE Nigeria Section 2022 for NIGERCON 2022, the Award of Excellence by the NSE Maitama branch 2021, MGA Board Young Professionals Achievement Award 2019, Recipient of Outstanding Volunteer of IEEE R8 ASYP Congress 2017 (EMEA), and IEEE Nigeria Section Merit Award 2017 (NG).

George Papadimitriou

Switzerland Section

Georgios (George) Papadimitriou studied at the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the National Technical University of Athens. Currently, he is working for HILTI, Global IT in Switzerland as an Enterprise Network Engineer. Previously he worked for Nokia Research & Development at their Technology Center in Athens, Greece. Since 2012, he volunteered as the Chair of the National Technical University of Athens IEEE Student Branch, the IEEE Greece Section’s Student Representative and the Region 8 Projects and Initiatives Coordinator fostering student collaboration and leading fruitful projects across the Region. In 2018 he was appointed to his second role in the Student Activities Committee as the Regional Student Representative and as a member of the Region 8 Strategic Planning Committee.

Lavender Ndunya

Kenya Section

Lavender Ndunya is a young Kenyan professional with 5 years industry experience. She is a Customer Service Officer for British American Tobacco, handling account management for 8 export markets in the region. In IEEE, with 6 years of membership, she has taken up various roles in the section (previously Industry Engagement Lead) and now she serves as Section Treasurer. She also volunteers in R8 as Humanitarian Activities Committee Member. The core scope of the role is to provide guidance on funding opportunities, push for SIGHT activities in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia & Ethiopia and ensure the SIGHT sections remain active over the years. She holds BSc. Electrical & Electronic Engineering from JKUAT.

Lucija Brezočnik

Slovenia Section

Lucija Brezočnik received her B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science of the University of Maribor, Slovenia. She is a teaching assistant and Ph.D. candidate. She works on several projects in the industry and is the author of a few journal papers, more than 20 conference papers, one book chapter, and is a reviewer for more than 40 recognized peer-review journals. Her research interests include machine learning, computational intelligence, data science, swarm intelligence, software engineering, and agile software development. For her work, she received several international and local awards and grants for her research activities. She is also the current IEEE Slovenia Vice-Chair and past IEEE WiE Slovenia chair.

Omar Salameh

Jordan Section

Omar is an IEEE Member since 2016, held several leading positions in the student branch, and was the professional activities officer in IEEE Jordan Section. Professionally, he is an Electrical Engineer with 4 years’ experience in power generation sector. Currently, he is doing my master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

Miriam Cunningham

UK & Ireland Section

Miriam Cunningham (IEEE Senior Member, IEEE-HKN) is a technology and innovation expert with over 25 years experience working with education and research, industry and government organisations to support ICT4Development/ Digital Development in Africa and Europe. Miriam specialises in contributing to policy analysis, research capacity building, adaptation and implementation of appropriate technology addressing societal challenges in low resource environments. Miriam has extensive experience as Co-Principal Investigator of large-scale digital technology innovation oriented cross-border and regional projects in Europe and Africa. She has co-organised over 45 large international conferences around the world, including both IEEE and government hosted conferences. Miriam is also Head of Research of the not-for-profit IST-Africa Institute, working in strategic partnership with Ministries and National Councils responsible for Innovation, Science and Technology in 18 African Member States. Miriam has served in senior IEEE volunteer roles including Member, IEEE SSIT Board of Governors (2020 – 2025) and IEEE Humanitarian Technology Board (2023).

Neemat Abdelrahim

Sudan Sub-section

Neemat is a A final year software engineering student at Sudan university of science and technology (graduating by March 2023). She has 3 years of experience with IEEE as volunteer and almost 2 years as an IEEE member. Currently serving as the chairperson of her student branch and IEEE Sudan Subsection SAC representative. She has worked as an ambassador for several times in different events and activities such as IEEE Day 2021, PES Day 2021, IEEEXtreme 15.0 & 16.0, IEEE Entrepreneurship week 2022 and several volunteering experience.

Nour Sbaoulji

Tunisia Section

Nour Sbaoulji is 23, Tunisian and a Software Engineering Student.

Jan Verveckken

Benelux Section

Belgian, Raised in Germany and Belgium. Studied electrical-mechanical energy engineering, with a focus on electrical energy. PhD in control of power electronics at KU Leuven. A variety of employers, in the fields of strategy consulting, automotive production, innovation development, research engineering and finally, engineering education.

Ex-officio from IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board

Lwanga Herbert (Uganda Section)	Magdalena Salazar-Palma (Spain Section)	Maxwell Addison (Ghana Section)	Mohamed Essaaidi (Morocco Section)	Simay Akar (Turkey Section)

Past Committee Members

2023-24 Committee Members

• Chair: Theodoros Pananagiotis Chatzinikolaou (Greece)
• Past-Chair: Abdulateef Aliyu (Nigeria)
• Members:
  • George Papadimitriou (Switzerland)
  • Lucija Brezočnik (Slovenia)
  • Omar Salameh (Jordan)
  • Lavender Ndunya (Kenya)
• Corresponding members:
  • Miriam Cunningham (UK & Ireland)
  • Neemat Abdelrahim (Sudan)
  • Nour Sbaoulji (Tunisia)
  • Jan Verveckken (Benelux)
• Ex-officio from IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board:
  • Lwanga Herbert (Uganda)
  • Simay Akar (Turkey)
  • Magdalena Salazar-Palma (Spain)
  • Mohamed Essaaidi (Morocco)
  • Maxwell Addison (Ghana)

2021-22 Committee Members

• Chair: Abdulateef Aliyu (Nigeria)
• Past-Chair: John Funso Adebayo (Nigeria)
• Members:
  • Lavender Ndunya (Kenya)
  • Fairouz Fattoum (Tunisia) (SAC Liaison)
• Corresponding members:
  • Manuel Ballesteros (Spain)
  • Heba Qadoomi (Jordan)
  • Miriam Cunningham (UK & Ireland)
  • Walid Bin Habib (Germany)
• Ex-officio from IEEE Humanitarian Activities Committee:
  • Simay Akar (Turkey)
  • Lwanga Herbert (Uganda)