Developing the Doughnut Economics EcoCivic Game
Join a constellation of organizations coming together for an impactful civic hackathon dedicated to creating an interactive digital game focused on Doughnut Economics for the City of San Jose! This event is a unique opportunity for diverse community members to collaborate on innovative solutions that visualize and promote a thriving San Jose within planetary boundaries and social foundations.
Thank you to Open Source San Jose, California Doughnut Economic Coalition, Taylor Made Traffic, Alameda Native History Project, Bloom.PM, Cosmic Labyrinth, Bioticship, Cultivating Self and more
Doughnut Economics, developed by Kate Raworth, provides a powerful framework for understanding how to meet the needs of all people within the means of the living planet. Through this hackathon, we aim to develop a fun and engaging digital tool that helps San Jose residents, policymakers, and organizations explore and act upon the principles of Doughnut Economics in a local context. Support the San Jose Doughnut effort at givebutter.com/zOrBcE
Who Should Attend?
We invite a wide array of passionate individuals and groups to contribute their unique perspectives and skills:
Developers & Designers: Game developers, web developers, UI/UX designers, data visualization specialists.
Public Servants: City planners, policy makers, sustainability officers, community development staff.
Nonprofits & Community Organizers: Advocates for social justice, environmental protection, and local resilience.
Academics & Researchers: Experts in economics, environmental science, urban planning, and social sciences.
Community Leaders: Individuals passionate about their neighborhoods and local initiatives.
Ecological Stewards & Farmers: Those with deep knowledge of local ecosystems and sustainable food systems.
Cooperative Businesses: Entrepreneurs and members of community-driven economic models.
No prior coding experience is required for all roles! We welcome diverse skill sets, from ideation and project management to research, design, and community engagement.
Why Participate?
Make a Tangible Impact: Contribute directly to a digital tool that can educate and empower the San Jose community.
Collaborate & Connect: Work alongside passionate individuals from various sectors, sharing knowledge and building new networks.
Learn & Grow: Deepen your understanding of Doughnut Economics and civic tech.
Foster Community: Engage in practices that nourish individual and collective well-being.
Shape San Jose's Future: Help envision and build a more inclusive, regenerative, and compassionate city.
What to Expect
This hackathon is designed to be a dynamic and supportive environment. Teams will form organically or pre-form, brainstorm ideas, prototype concepts, and develop functional components of the game. Beyond the technical work, we are intentionally integrating elements of community care and connection to ensure a holistic and regenerative experience.
Hackathon Agenda
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Doughnut Welcome & Registration
Arrive, check-in, grab a healthy locally made doughnut and network.
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Opening Remarks & Vision Setting
Sacred agreements and welcome from organizers.
Introduction to Doughnut Economics and its relevance to San Jose.
Overview of the hackathon goals and desired outcomes.
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM: Reimagining teamwork & Ideation
Participants engage in a solarpunk game to explore where their skills and purpose align best with a collective vision
Facilitated sessions to refine ideas and define initial project scopes.
10:45 AM - 12:30 PM: Development Sprint 1: Prototyping & Design
Teams begin sketching, designing UI/UX, and building initial prototypes.
Mentors circulate to provide guidance and support.
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Regenerative Lunch & Community Care
A nutritious lunch provided.
Regenerative Guided Meditation experience: A facilitated space for mindfulness and grounding with local nature
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Development Sprint 2: Core Development
Teams dive deeper into coding, content creation, and game mechanics.
Access to data sources and resources about San Jose's social and ecological indicators.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Cultural Practice & Ecological Restoration Focus
Facilitated EcoCultural Practice: A short, engaging activity highlighting local cultural heritage (e.g., brief dance, storytelling, or music session).
Activity on Local Ecological Restoration: Learn about local ecological initiatives and participate in a small community volunteer experience with local urban ecology.
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Development Sprint 3: Refinement & Integration
Teams integrate components, refine features, and prepare for presentations.
Mentors offer final guidance and technical assistance.
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Community Dinner
Dinner provided.
Live Restorative Music
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Project Presentations & Demos
Community will present and integrate interactive game concepts to the group.
Feedback and Q&A session.
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Closing Remarks, Next Steps & Networking
Celebration of achievements and recognition of participants.
Discussion of next steps for continuing development and deployment of the games.
Open networking and farewells.
9:00 PM - : Potential Ecstatic dance party (no alcohol)
What to Bring
Your laptop, charger, and any necessary peripherals.
Gloves for the garden work.
An open mind and collaborative spirit!
Any specific software or tools you prefer to work with.
Water bottle (we'll have refill stations).