Camel Hackathon Launches To Enhance Saudi Cultural Heritage And Economic Development

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is celebrating the Year of the Camel 2024 with a new initiative, the Camel Hackathon. This event, held at Jada 30 in Hail, is a collaboration between the non-profit private sector, the Camel Club, and the Social Development Bank (SDB). Organised by the Saleh Rakhis Cultural Center, it aims to highlight camels' cultural and economic significance while supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

The Camel Hackathon seeks to enhance camels' role in national heritage and sustainable economic growth. It aligns with leadership goals to develop cultural and developmental aspects of this sector. The event attracted over 600 participants, including entrepreneurs and developers, forming 24 teams to present innovative ideas.

Participants benefited from training sessions led by experts from the SDB. These sessions aimed to equip them with essential skills for entrepreneurship. Eng. Abdullah Al-Rakhis, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Saleh Rakhis Cultural Center, awarded prizes worth SAR 200,000 to ten winners.

Winning projects will receive further support through a business accelerator for two months. Afterward, five projects will be selected for cash prizes and enter a nine-month incubation phase at Jada 30. This phase ensures their sustainability and growth in line with national objectives.

Al-Rakhis highlighted that these initiatives aim to boost cultural heritage and create developmental opportunities. They also focus on generating sustainable jobs within the community. He noted that these efforts align with Saudi Vision 2030's goals and reinforce camels' status as an authentic cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Culture's announcement of 2024 as the "Year of the Camel" underscores these efforts. The partnership between the center, Camel Club, and SDB aims to implement quality initiatives that contribute significantly to enhancing Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape.

With inputs from SPA