Online Participatory Events, Myth or Reality? Learnings from the EasyRights Hackathons

The hit of the global pandemic withdrew the main condition for the occurrence of hackathons: the gathering of several individuals in a physical place. Consequently, hackathons switched to the online sphere and transforming the way co-design activities were normally arranged and experienced in pre-pandemic time. While online hackathons opened new possibilities in terms of participation, they entailed important challenges that compromise core values of co-design such as teamwork and participants’ engagement. As some clear advantages in terms of social distancing, logistics and costs may provoke participatory encounters to remain digital in the “new normal”, how can we guarantee that their foundations prevail? What should we consider when adapting our participatory social events to the digital world and can we beat the so-called “zoom fatigue” of attendants? This paper presents the case of the easyRights hackathons (H2020 project) that, affected by the global health situation, had to shift to the online mode. Drawing from a combination of literature review in contrast to first-hand experience, we discuss the value of the digital format of hackathons, by studying the pitfalls and advantages encountered. Aimed to inspire reflection on future practice of online hackathons or similar formats of events in the new normal, the article sums up the collected recommendations and know-how for a conscious design of online participatory events.