TechCamp

Overview 

• TechCamp was a public diplomacy program hosted in the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State. 

• TechCamps were hands-on, participant-driven workshops that connected private sector technology experts with key populations — journalists, non-governmental organizations, civil society advocates, and more — to explore and apply innovative tech solutions to global issues. TechCamps were focused on results, with participants identifying real-world challenges and working in partnership with trainers to apply technology solutions to these challenges. Each TechCamp also included ongoing impact-oriented continued engagement programming and efforts to help participants implement their projects post-workshop and stay connected and engaged with each other, their trainers, and U.S. State Department staff. 

History 

• The TechCamp Program began at the U.S. State Department in 2010. The Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) took over the program in 2015 and conducted more than 40 TechCamp workshops all over the world, training more than 2,100 participants from more than 110 countries. In May 2019, the TechCamp program transitioned into the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). On March 1, 2025, the TechCamp Program was officially sunsetted.

Outcomes 

• 362 projects were implemented by alumni in local communities worldwide.  

• “The best part was the way everyone was using technology to make their work have a meaningful impact.” - Surekha Waldia TechCamp South Asia Alumna 

• “It’s been a very rewarding experience to stay connected even a year after the TechCamp took place.” - Christiana Varda, TechCamp Cyprus Alumna  

• “TechCamp allowed me to understand the importance of digital tools as an enhancer of our social actions in different communities,” - Achille Comoe, TechCamp Alumnus 

• “I’ve been in a lot of trainings before, but this is the first time that the topics selected were geared towards developing solutions. They gave us time to brainstorm and talk amongst ourselves, trying to come up with a doable and actionable plan that we can try and implement in our own organizations.” - Meeko Angela Camba, Alumna of  Virtual TechCamp Malaysia 

Trainer Highlights 

• Harish Kotra, from India, is a six-time TechCamp Trainer. Harish is the Platforms & Community Lead for AngelHack, a global company dedicated to Developer Relations and building communities of change makers and innovators worldwide. With his expertise, Harish has helped run some of the best hackathons and developer competitions globally, providing opportunities for developers to showcase their skills and ideas.  During his spare time, Harish helps entrepreneurs build and automate anything without coding. He is passionate about technology and believes in empowering individuals to bring their own ideas to life. 

• Hamzat Lawal (Hamzy), from Nigeria, is a four-time TechCamp trainer and an activist with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector who has successfully led grassroots campaigns in over 40 African countries. Hamzy specializes in practical issues associated with Climate Change, Open Data, anticorruption, advocacy campaigns and development policy as it affects rural communities. Hamzy is also the Co-Founder of Follow The Money, a Pan-African grassroots data-driven movement, and leads a team of technology- and innovation-driven campaigners to amplify the voices of marginalized communities in promoting accountability as it affects utilization of public funds focusing on specific communities across Africa. He is currently the Chief Executive of Connected Development [CODE] and sits on the Executive Board of the largest Youth Movement in Africa, the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), advising on communications strategies and campaigns using technology tools in shaping and actualizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hamzy has been part of the Malala Fund’s Education Champion Network since 2020, is a BeyGOOD's Global Citizens Fellow, and among many awards and accolades was a finalist for the 2019 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Awards. 

• Susan Nesbitt, from the United States, is a two-time TechCamp Trainer who is currently an independent senior adviser to business, government, academia, and civil society working to shape a more sustainable, socially just world that upholds human rights through responsible innovation, forward-thinking policy, impactful products, and meaningful partnerships. Until 2023, Susan was Director, Social Impact Products & Partnerships at WhatsApp/ Meta. In this role, Susan led strategy development and execution for programs and partnerships across areas such as crisis response and preparedness, health, education and global policy programs. Susan was previously with the World Economic Forum where Susan led their Frontier Technologies portfolio and global start-up communities including: the Tech Pioneers, Global Innovators and Unicorns. Susan was also the Partnership Lead and Board Member for the Obama Administration’s Service and Volunteering initiative and a founding TechWomen Mentor and Selection Committee Member. 

• Alex Nana-Sinkam, from the United States, is a three-time TechCamp Trainer. Alex currently leads program, partnership and design strategy for IDEO.org’s Nairobi studio and previously managed innovation programs focused on international development at OpenIDEO, IDEO’s open innovation portfolio. 10+ years in the social sector has led her to San Francisco, Kenya, South Africa and Southern India focusing on youth empowerment and education, philanthropic research and evaluation, and design of community based programs. She has supported TechCamps as a trainer and facilitator in Dubai, Bangkok, Thailand, and Port au Prince, Haiti, focusing on economic empowerment of small business owners and collaboration across cultural divides. In another life, she worked in new business strategy and product development for a large tech company. 

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