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A week-long Hackathon hosted by V-Lab Vanuatu concluded last Friday with a showcase of creativity, innovation, and community-driven solutions, as local youth teams presented their projects to judges and sponsors. The event ended with a prize-giving ceremony celebrating three outstanding teams whose ideas stood out for their impact and originality. Taking first place and a grand prize of VT100,000, the Wan Smol Bag team impressed judges with their project, the Family Link Centre — an initiative designed to reconnect and support families separated by overseas employment under programs like the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. The One Solution team secured second place, receiving gifts from one of the event sponsors, Computer World, including earbuds and backpacks for each member. Red Cross Vanuatu took third place, with prizes sponsored by Vodafone Vanuatu. Communications Specialist at V-Lab Vanuatu, Williamson Kalpokas, said the Hackathon was organized to find ideas from the youth and help showcase their innovations. Founder and President of V-Lab, Marc-Antoine More, congratulated all participants, emphasizing that the initiative’s goal goes beyond competition. He noted that one standout concept came from the Youth Challenge team, whose project focused on promoting youth voices in governance through talkback radio and television shows. More said that V-Lab plans to connect the Wan Smol Bag team with the Department of Labour, one of its key partners, to explore potential funding and implementation. “We have a good relationship with the department through our joint programs,” he said. “We’ll facilitate meetings to see if the department or donors are interested in helping make the Family Link Centre a reality.” The Family Link Centre proposal addresses a growing social challenge in Vanuatu — the emotional strain and communication gaps in families where parents travel abroad for seasonal work. The team’s vision is to create a platform that keeps families connected and strengthens relationships despite physical distance. The Hackathon highlighted V-Lab’s mission to empower young innovators in Vanuatu, providing a space for them to turn creative thinking into practical solutions for the country’s social and economic challenges.
