re: connect
no one should be left alone against a repressive system
Russia is blocking messengers and the internet itself. Help people stay in touch with OVD-Info and other civic projects!
Join our three-day hackathon — for developers, engineers, security folks, and anyone who turns complex technical problems into working tools.
about the hackathon
The authorities are blocking messengers, throttling mobile networks, and cutting off the internet across many regions of Russia. Because of this, people who need urgent help may simply be unable to reach out.
For years OVD-Info has accepted requests via Telegram, a phone hotline, and email. These channels are no longer enough — some are vulnerable to blocks, others are inconvenient or don't fit every situation.
It's time to build new ways to stay connected — a serious engineering challenge at the intersection of networking, digital security, and even hacktivism.
who we're looking for
We believe technology isn't neutral.
In the hands of people who care, it becomes a tool of solidarity, defence, and even survival. Tor, Signal and many other censorship-bypass tools were born this way. The next ones will too — and you can be part of building them.
Who we need:
Engineers with a grasp of networking protocols, distributed systems, or digital security.
Developers who can ship prototype solutions fast.
Censorship-circumvention experts, security and cryptography specialists.
Data engineers who can design analytics with privacy of sensitive data in mind.
Product people who turn technology into useful tools for real users.
Technical visionaries who bring fresh, non-obvious ideas and approaches.
format
Length
Two full days of intensive work, plus a Friday evening opening — so you can comfortably join after work.
Dates
June 19–21, 2026
Location
Berlin, in person
Mentors and experts
The hackathon is run by OVD-Info team members and partner organisations, plus experts in censorship circumvention, cybersecurity and surveillance, journalists, and developers of alternative messengers.
what we'll work on
01 INFRA We process incoming requests via a popular Helpdesk system. The task: build a universal gateway you can plug new channels into in minutes.
02 CHANNELS Signal, Delta Chat, Matrix, Briar, SimpleX, Session — and whatever shows up tomorrow. The more connectors, the harder we are to cut off. The task: ship as many working integrations as possible.
03 DATA To raise the quality of our work we need a solid analytics stack that can cluster requests across many criteria while keeping personal and sensitive data anonymised.
04 HACK Find ways to turn existing restrictions and technologies against censorship itself. Mesh networks, steganography over permitted channels, your own app or protocol, patches for open-source messengers, web gateways to blocked platforms — and any other ideas you bring!
05 MEDIA Sometimes a solution isn't enough — you also have to ship it to the people who need it and explain it clearly. We've got the ideas; help us make them real.
deliverables
We want production-ready tools that can be applied to real cases right away:
* Working MVPs with a thought-through technical architecture.
* Documentation describing how the solution works.
* A rollout plan and deployment guide for OVD-Info and partner organisations.
what you'll get
* Real impact: your skills will help people facing political pressure in Russia.
* Access to live data: real metrics and anonymised cases from the OVD-Info hotline.
* Mentors and experts to consult and connect with.
* Networking with people who care, with kindred spirits.
* Partner perks: prizes and gifts for every participant!
logistics
* Equipment: all you'll need is your laptop — we'll provide the rest of the infrastructure.
* Safety protocols: every application is pre-verified before approval.
* Daily schedule and working structure: we'll share details with participants closer to the dates.
faq
1. I have no activism background — does it make sense to participate?
Absolutely. We are looking for people with strong technical skills and the willingness to tackle hard engineering problems. Motivation is what matters most — we will cover the context and significance of the work during the hackathon.
2. What if I am not sure which track suits me?
That's perfectly fine. In your application, list the tracks that interest you most and describe your background. Our team will help you find the best fit. If your skills span several areas, you can also work at the intersection of tracks.
3. Is the hackathon only for participants from Russia or Europe?
We welcome participants from anywhere in the world. The hackathon happens in Berlin and is run in Russian and English.
4. What happens to the code and solutions after the hackathon?
Successful solutions will become part of OVD-Info's infrastructure, and we'll also share them with partner organisations. If you'd like, you can stay involved in the deployment, maintenance, and scaling of the project.
5. Do I have to keep working with OVD-Info after the hackathon?
No. The hackathon is an intensive three-day sprint. Afterwards you can wrap up or stay on to help roll out the solutions. Many participants choose to continue as volunteers, but it isn't required. We'll discuss possible formats of further collaboration with everyone interested.
6. Is it safe to take part?
Cooperating with OVD-Info is not a criminal offence in any country. Even so, we run additional safety protocols, follow strict procedures for handling sensitive information, and can guarantee anonymous participation. If you have specific concerns, contact us directly and we will work them out. Every participant and every application is verified before approval.
7. I have health-related needs or accessibility requirements.
Please note this in your application or contact us directly. We aim to make the hackathon accessible to everyone and can accommodate mobility, hearing, vision, neurodiversity, and other needs.
8. I have more questions — how can I reach you?
Email us at hackathon@ovdinfo.org
about us
OVD-Info is an independent human rights media project dedicated to confronting political repression in Russia. We collect and publish information about detentions at protests and for anti-war speech, coordinate legal aid for the detained, and work on systemic change in human rights and civil liberties.