Social impact is integrated into CanopyLAB’s DNA through the LAB, our open learning community aimed at engaging today’s youth into the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. The LAB is made possible through our free partnerships with NGOs from all over the world. Our first partners were pioneers in growing the LAB’s course directory and network: Humanity in Action, Intact Denmark, Immigrant Museum, and Kvinfo.
How do we collaborate with our civil society partners? Well, we provide the tools and training via the platform and they create the content! CanopyLAB offers free training on the platform’s functionalities, monthly open workshops, SoMe outreach, use of our in-house studio, and course creation hackathons twice a year. In turn, our partners create incredible courses and insightful content on topics ranging from human rights, health, and sustainability which allows, making a global impact through their mission and values.
As a tech company, we’ve naturally opted for the ambitious and energetic concept of a Hackathon for all our local partners, but with a twist.
As a tech company, we’ve naturally opted for the ambitious and energetic concept of a Hackathon for all our local partners, but with a twist. The challenge? To complete 1 course in 1 day, network with inspiring people from other NGOs, learn more about what drives the passion behind the courses they are building and get one step closer to achieving SDG#4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
“Taking part in the hackathon at CanopyLAB with my NGO POWER:Period was a really great experience – I got to network with other NGOs and organizations whilst working on e-learning courses…The whole day was very well-paced, lovely refreshments and a celebratory champagne upon successful publishing of our first course – I can’t wait for the next one!”
∼ Founder Charlotte Twells, POWER:Period
A few minutes into the hacking session the atmosphere in the office was contagious and invigorating!
We kicked off the event with a breakfast talk “Future of Learning & Role of Civil Society” where CEO Sahra-Josephine Hjorth shared insights on the latest trends in Edtech and a few of CanopyLAB’s impact stories. This got ideas rolling about the purpose of partner’s courses while the caffeine kicked in! A few minutes into the hacking session the atmosphere in the office was contagious and invigorating! Our conference room was packed with 14 partners from various NGOs laying out their game plan, exchanging resources, and getting 1:1 support from staff.
“We found the CanopyLAB hackathon to be a great and educational experience. After learning all about their service, we had the chance to try out making our own online courses, converting a Crossing Borders manual on youth leadership into an easily accessible, digital form!”
∼ Intern Owen Savage, Crossing Borders
Our Chief Learning Officer Lise Andersen-Alstrup hosted a lunch talk about the platform’s killer Artificial Intelligence (AI) features that help facilitate course creation in just minutes on the platform, like the auto-tagging all of all their course content! Our partners were creating courses on entrepreneurship, youth leadership, architecture as a human right, menstrual health, and the power of role models. By the early afternoon, our partners were already finalizing their drafts, building their courses, and coming up with brilliant ways to diversify exercises to meet the needs of a global audience.
Our partners were creating courses on entrepreneurship, youth leadership, architecture as a human right, menstrual health and the power of role models.
“Hackathon Host Tips: Establish a clear challenge, provide personalized support, facilitate networking beaks fueled by cake and some fresh air, then end the day with presentations and reflections accompanied by a glass of champagne!”
∼ eLearning Designer Yamanda Boukmakh, CanopyLAB
Check out some of the courses created by our incredible partners:
Periods and Menstruation by POWER:Period
Lead Now, Learn How: Leadership for Youth by Crossing Borders
Above & Beyond: The Importance of Space Exploration by Space Explorers Academy
Companies’ Impacts on Land Rights: Advanced Course by Think Rights
The ABC of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) for friends and family by HER Foundation
Can a mobile phone save a mother’s life? By Maternity Foundation
An ode to our partners
On behalf of the entire CanopyLAB Team, we would like to express a special thanks to all the participants from Crossing Borders, SMExO, Emergency Architecture & Human Rights, POWER:Period, InnovatorQ, and DigiPipipi for their incredibly hard work on the day- sign in to The LAB to check out their latest courses. After a successful first event, we will definitely be hosting another in Spring 2020. This time, it will be a physical and online hackathon to accommodate all of our international partners!
Become a pioneer
Are you interested in learning more about how your organization can become a pioneer? Contact us today for more information: info@canopylab.com.
At CanopyLAB we designed a simple and social platform for digital learning experiences.
