UNDP, ICT division host civic tech innovation expo 2026

The UNDP, in partnership with the ICT Division, hosted the Civic Tech Innovation Expo 2026 at the BCC Auditorium in Dhaka on 12 April.

The event marked the launch of Bangladesh's first youth-led civic technology ecosystem.

Building on this collaboration, the event convened government officials, development partners and young innovators to promote digital governance and inclusion through actionable, technology-driven solutions.

The 'Partnerships for a More Tolerant and Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB)' project, supported by the Government of Norway, brought together the UNDP and the ICT Division's Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) to organise the expo.

Young innovators developed solutions through the project that addressed core governance challenges and aligned with national priorities—democratic accountability, the rule of law, human rights, women's safety, and digital inclusion.

Secretary Quazi Anowar Hossain of the ICT Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, emphasised the importance of integration and accessibility: "These apps should not remain isolated. They need to be brought together under an open platform and made accessible in multiple languages to ensure wider usability."

The Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, highlighted the significance of youth participation: "I am very pleased to see the youth ecosystem actively contributing to the growth of Bangladesh's civic tech sector."

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne said: "It is inspiring to witness small actions evolve into tangible services, from prototypes to practical implementation, and to see solutions that directly address real-life challenges."

Bangladesh Computer Council Executive Director Md Abu Sayeed said the initiative is rooted in digital literacy and civic engagement. "This project is fundamentally focused on digital literacy. We are pleased to see how it aligns people more closely with governance and strengthens their engagement in the digital sphere," he said.

At the expo, youth-led teams showcased AI-powered legal information platforms, anti-misinformation tools, citizen feedback systems for public policies, and digital applications designed to improve public services and environmental sustainability. Several teams demonstrated strong potential to integrate their efforts. The event concluded as organisers awarded innovation grants to the top-performing teams, reinforcing collaboration among youth, government, and development partners. Organisers stated that the expo represented a significant step toward transparent, citizen-centric governance and inclusive digital transformation in Bangladesh.