Data 360 Global Challenge
Media Party and the World Bank call on journalists, developers, entrepreneurs, and technologists from around the world to build the next generation of verification tools — and restore trust in information.
Data 360 Global Challenge Jury
Poynter Institute
The World Bank
We need new tools to improve information integrity.
The world faces an unprecedented crisis of trust. The proliferation of sophisticated digital manipulation, disinformation, and the collapse of shared facts threaten democracy, development, and public well-being.
This challenge brings together two powerful forces: Media Party's global network of media innovators and the World Bank's verified development data through its Data360 API, a comprehensive source of verified development data that serves as a foundation for authenticating information and restoring public trust.
What are we looking for?
We invite participants from around the world to explore diverse approaches to establishing trusted sources of truth in media. Solutions must utilize the World Bank's Data360 API as a foundation of verified data.
Teams can build on existing projects or start from scratch, provided they demonstrate substantial new development specifically oriented toward information integrity.
Choose at least one of the following focus areas for your proposal:
Data Dialogue (Conversational Access)
AI-powered tools that allow journalists and citizens to "converse" with World Bank indicators. Anyone should be able to ask in natural language — "How has female labor participation changed in the last decade?" — and receive an accurate response based on official data.
Instant Visual Stories (Data Integration)
Raw numbers don't tell stories; visualizations do. We are looking for plug-and-play tools that help newsrooms transform World Bank data into interactive charts instantly — as easy to embed in an article as a YouTube video.
Shielding the Pipeline (Secure Infrastructure)
Trust starts at the source. We seek technical solutions that protect the flow of information from the API to the end user, creating a secure and impenetrable channel so data cannot be intercepted or manipulated.
A Digital Passport for Facts (Cross-platform Verification)
When a chart goes viral on social media, it often loses its source and context. We need systems that act as a "passport" for data, traveling with the information wherever it's shared and allowing verification of the original official source in a single click.
Permanent Source Seals (Decentralized Provenance)
Using technologies like blockchain or cryptography to give data an unalterable "birth certificate". A permanent record of what was published and when — so any reader can confirm that the numbers haven't been altered.
The Wildcard (Open Innovation)
The future of transparency is not limited to these categories. If you have a unique idea that uses official development data to make information clearer and more reliable, this space is yours.
How the Challenge Works
The process is structured in two phases to identify the most promising teams and provide them with real support during development.
Phase 1 — Expression of Interest (EOI)
Teams submit a brief conceptual proposal including their approach, relevant experience, and development plan. Selected finalists are invited to Phase 2 with access to World Bank API credentials, technical mentoring, and a collaborative network of innovators.
Phase 2 — Prototype Development
Finalist teams have two months to build and refine their solutions, with continuous support: cohort calls, technical office hours with experts, and direct access to advisors from Media Party and the World Bank.
Timeline
Prizes and Benefits
Cash prize starting at USD 5,000 for the winning team, with support to continue developing their solution.
In addition, all participants receive:
- International visibility before top-tier journalists, investors, and media executives
- Access to Media Party's information integrity innovation network
- Opportunities for collaboration and ongoing exposure
- Direct mentoring from technical experts at the World Bank and Media Party
- Space to present their solution at leading global events
Who can participate?
The challenge is open to global teams of journalists, developers, entrepreneurs, and technologists with ideas to make information more verifiable and reliable.
We accept:
- Open source projects and commercial ventures
- Teams building on existing projects or starting from scratch
- Solutions at any early stage of development
Key conditions:
- Solutions must demonstrate substantial new development oriented toward information integrity using World Bank data
- The core verification functionality must be publicly accessible
- Commercial projects must offer free access to journalists and newsrooms in developing countries
- All Data360 API integrations must be documented to allow independent verification