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: TBC

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

Samarth Deo

Chair – Sweden Section

Head of MACH Control & Protection, Hitachi Energy Sweden

Samarth Deo works at Hitachi Energy in Sweden as the Head of MACH Control and Protection design organization. He began his career as an R&D Software Engineer at ABB AB in 2014. He has held multiple management and leadership positions since 2018, and in his current role leading teams in Sweden, Poland, and India. His teams are responsible for developing a high-performance control platform integrating hardware, embedded software, and FPGA systems—delivering mission-critical solutions for HVDC and renewable grid applications. He has also held multiple leadership roles in IEEE, including Chair of the EPICS in IEEE committee and IEEE Sweden Section in the past. He is appointed as the Chair of the Humanitarian Activities Committee within Region 8 for 2025.

Theodoros Chatzinikolaou

Past-Chair – Greece Section

Chair, IEEE R8 SAC
Researcher & PhD(c), DUTH

Theodoros is a researcher and PhD Candidate in the ECE Dept of the Democritus University of Thrace, where he has received his Engineering Diploma with Integrated Master. His research interests focus on future and emerging computing systems and cutting-edge technologies with a focus on memristive circuits. As an active volunteer, he is currently serving the IEEE Region 8 as Vice-Chair, Student Activities, SAC Chair and HTAC Past-Chair. He has served various IEEE units, including MGA SAC, Region 8, and his local Student Branch. He has received the IEEE MGA Young Professionals Achievement Award, the IEEE CASS Pre-Doctoral Grant, and the IEEE MGA Larry K. Wilson Regional Student Activities Award, among others.

George Papadimitriou

Member -Switzerland Section

IT Product Owner Cloud Network & Security, Hilti Switzerland

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.

Lucija Brezočnik

Slovenia Section

Vice-chair, IEEE Slovenia Section
Teaching Assistant, UM FERI, University of Maribor, Slovenia 

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 recognised peer-reviewed 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.

Nour Sbaoulji

Member – Tunisia Section

Vice-Chair – IEEE Tunisia Section SIGHT Group
Software Engineer & Data Analyst

Omar Salameh

Member – Jordan Section

Product Application Engineer, Schneider Electric UK

Omar has been an active IEEE member since 2016, he has held several leadership roles, including Chair of major IEEE congresses and founder of his branch’s SIGHT Group. He joined the IEEE Region 8  HTAC in 2023 and became a full member in 2024. He also contributes to climate advocacy through YOUNGO and UNFCCC youth initiatives.

He holds a BSc in Electrical Power Engineering from Al-Balqa Applied University and an MSc in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems from the University of Leeds. Passionate about energy transition, he is committed to enabling technologies that support net-zero goals.

Professionally, Omar is an electrical engineer with 7 years of experience in power systems and generation, currently working at Schneider Electric UK as a Product Application Engineer. He focuses on designing MV switchgear and supporting the digitalisation of distribution networks to drive sustainability.

Abdulla Al-Kaff

Corresponding Member – Spain Section

Associate Professor, UC3M – CBDO, Seevia

Ahmed Ayman

Corresponding Member – Egypt Section

Software Engineering Lead, PodMedia Network

Fayrouz Fattoum

Corresponding Member – France Section

Project Manager, Oil & Gas

Kai Goodall

Corresponding Member – South Africa Section

Committee Member, EPICS in IEEE
AI Researcher at University of Cape Town

Dr Resala A.Al Adraj

Corresponding Member – Bahrain Section

Assistant Professor
IEEE Computer Society Chapter Chair
IEEE Educational Activity Officer
IEEE EPICS Ambassador

Dr. Resala A. Al Adraj is an Assistant Professor and seasoned academic with over 20 years of experience in the field of computer science. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Warwick (UK), a Master’s degree in Technology Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

She served in the College of Information Technology at the University of Bahrain, where she specialised in e-business, human-computer interaction (HCI), and entrepreneurship. Dr. Al Adraj has taught a wide range of courses, mentored student innovation teams, and delivered numerous workshops on digital transformation, interface design, and startup development.

A dedicated IEEE volunteer, Dr. Al Adraj currently serves as Chair of the IEEE Computer Society Chapter in Bahrain, Educational Activity Officer (IEAO), and Corresponding Member of the IEEE Bahrain Section. She is also an IEEE EPICS Ambassador, where she promotes engineering service-learning projects that integrate technical knowledge with community impact.

Her work reflects a strong commitment to empowering students, advancing technical education, and supporting interdisciplinary collaboration across the Gulf region and beyond..

Ex-officio from the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board

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)