ABOUT


In 2018, Call for Code was launched at the VivaTech Conference in Paris with the support of IBM, the Linux Foundation, UN Human Rights and  French President Emmanuel Macron. The program began with a remarkable $30 million commitment, underscoring IBM’s deep belief in technology’s power to tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges. Following the success of the inaugural Call for Code Global Challenge, IBM pledged an additional $25 million within the first ten months to further develop and deploy winning solutions, raising its first-year commitment to an impressive $55 million.


Over the past nine years, Call for Code has grown into the world’s largest sustained mobilization of developers for social impact — engaging more than one million technologists across 190+ countries and catalyzing the creation of over 50,000 applications addressing climate resilience, disaster response, public health, sustainability, and human rights. The annual Call for Code Global Challenge serves as a global call to action — inviting the world’s 24 million developers to channel their expertise and deploy frontier technologies in service of the planet’s most urgent challenges.


In 2026, Call for Code evolved into Call for Code AI — a next-generation platform that harnesses the full power of artificial intelligence to accelerate global impact. Building on eight years of momentum and a proven ecosystem of developers, partners, and institutions, Call for Code AI introduces a new challenge architecture — including rapid-response Spot Challenges and an annual Global Challenge — designed to deploy AI solutions against the world's most urgent crises, from human trafficking to climate displacement to pandemic preparedness. The mission remains the same; the technology has never been more powerful.

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ABOUT CALL FOR CODE

In 2018, Call for Code was launched at the VivaTech Conference in Paris—a bold initiative from UN Human Rights, supported by French President Emmanuel Macron and founding partner IBM. The program began with a remarkable $30 million commitment, underscoring IBM’s deep belief in technology’s power to tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges. Following the success of the inaugural Call for Code Global Challenge, IBM pledged an additional $25 million within the first ten months to further develop and deploy winning solutions, raising its first-year commitment to an impressive $55 million.

Over the past eight years, Call for Code has grown into the world’s largest sustained mobilization of developers for social impact — engaging more than one million technologists across 190+ countries and catalyzing the creation of over 50,000 applications addressing climate resilience, disaster response, public health, sustainability, and human rights. The annual Call for Code Global Challenge serves as a global call to action — inviting the world’s 24 million developers to channel their expertise and deploy frontier technologies in service of the planet’s most urgent challenges.
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ABOUT 
CALL FOR CODE

In 2018, Call for Code was launched at the VivaTech Conference in Paris—a bold initiative from UN Human Rights, supported by French President Emmanuel Macron and founding partner IBM. The program began with a remarkable $30 million commitment, underscoring IBM’s deep belief in technology’s power to tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges. Following the success of the inaugural Call for Code Global Challenge, IBM pledged an additional $25 million within the first ten months to further develop and deploy winning solutions, raising its first-year commitment to an impressive $55 million.

Over the past eight years, Call for Code has grown into the world’s largest sustained mobilization of developers for social impact — engaging more than one million technologists across 190+ countries and catalyzing the creation of over 50,000 applications addressing climate resilience, disaster response, public health, sustainability, and human rights. The annual Call for Code Global Challenge serves as a global call to action — inviting the world’s 24 million developers to channel their expertise and deploy frontier technologies in service of the planet’s most urgent challenges.
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CALL FOR CODE
GLOBAL CHALLENGE

At the heart of this visionary initiative lies the Call for Code Global Challenge - a dynamic four-month global competition that unites developers, human rights experts, and specialized teams in a shared mission: to engineer solutions for some of the world’s most urgent issues. Backed by the United Nations and an expansive coalition of tech leaders, including IBM, The Linux Foundation, sponsors, celebrities, and global organizations, th e challenge transcends borders, drawing submissions from nearly every country. Each year, this grand mobilization of talent underscores the belief that technology, when guided by purpose, can bring real change to the world’s mos t pressing challenges.

The pinnacle of the competition is the coveted Call for Code Global Prize. The winning team, selected by an eminent jury featuring a former U.S. President, United Nations leaders, industry authorities, and coding luminaries, is awarded $200,000 at a celebrated event held at the United Nations in New York. But beyond the prize, the true honor lies in the opportunity to partner with IBM and key ecosystem partners, to bring their solution to life on a global scale. This distinction, often referred to as “The Nobel Prize for Developers,” epitomizes the transformative power of innovation when championed by a worldwide community.
CALL FOR CODE
GLOBAL CHALLENGE

At the heart of this visionary initiative lies the Call for Code Global Challenge - a dynamic four-month global competition that unites developers, human rights experts, and specialized teams in a shared mission: to engineer solutions for some of the world’s most urgent issues. Backed by the United Nations and an expansive coalition of tech leaders, including IBM, The Linux Foundation, sponsors, celebrities, and global organizations, th e challenge transcends borders, drawing submissions from nearly every country. Each year, this grand mobilization of talent underscores the belief that technology, when guided by purpose, can bring real change to the world’s mos t pressing challenges.

The pinnacle of the competition is the coveted Call for Code Global Prize. The winning team, selected by an eminent jury featuring a former U.S. President, United Nations leaders, industry authorities, and coding luminaries, is awarded $200,000 at a celebrated event held at the United Nations in New York. But beyond the prize, the true honor lies in the opportunity to partner with IBM and key ecosystem partners, to bring their solution to life on a global scale. This distinction, often referred to as “The Nobel Prize for Developers,” epitomizes the transformative power of innovation when championed by a worldwide community.
UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS

As Call for Code’s Charitable Partner, UN Human Rights embodies the global commitment to the universal ideals of human dignity.  Representing human rights concerns for all 193 United Nations Member States, UN Human Rights holds a singular mandate from the international community to champion and safeguard human rights for everyone, everywhere.
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UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS

As Call for Code’s Charitable Partner, UN Human Rights embodies the global commitment to the universal ideals of human dignity. Representing human rights concerns for all 193 United Nations Member States, UN Human Rights holds a singular mandate from the international community to champion and safeguard human rights for everyone, everywhere.
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UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS

As Call for Code’s Charitable Partner, UN Human Rights embodies the global commitment to the universal ideals of human dignity. Representing human rights concerns for all 193 United Nations Member States, UN Human Rights holds a singular mandate from the international community to champion and safeguard human rights for everyone, everywhere.
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THE INSPIRATION

In 2017, reports of malicious hacking swept across the globe, revealing a sobering truth: rogue developers wielded unprecedented power to disrupt elections and spread confusion on an astonishing scale. For David Clark, this was a wake-up call—a stark realization of the profoun d influence and potential impact that developers held in shaping the modern world.

OPPORTUNITY TO
REBRAND DEVELOPERS

Clark recognized that these rogue developers, though powerful, were far from representing the broader developer community, whose integrity was now shadowed by the actions of a few. The skill, reach, and ingenuity on display made him wonder: what if such talents could be harnessed for good? What if developers became celebrated as problem-solvers tackling society’s toughest issues? This spark ignited a groundbreaking vision—a movement to rewrite the narrative around developers by creating an initiative that championed their potential to drive social impact.

From this vision emerged the Call for Code Global Initiative – an ongoing endeavor to unite developers and innovators worldwide in a “Justice League for Good,” inspiring millions to use their skills collectively to address the planet’s greatest challenges. Fueled by a mission to turn talent into tangible change, the Call for Code Global Initiative aims to propel developers into new frontiers, guiding them on a quest to solve critical global issues through innovative technology solutions.
THE INSPIRATION

In 2017, reports of malicious hacking swept across the globe, revealing a sobering truth: rogue developers wielded unprecedented power to disrupt elections and spread confusion on an astonishing scale. For David Clark, this was a wake-up call—a stark realization of the profoun d influence and potential impact that developers held in shaping the modern world.

OPPORTUNITY TO
REBRAND

Clark recognized that these rogue developers, though powerful, were far from representing the broader developer community, whose integrity was now shadowed by the actions of a few. The skill, reach, and ingenuity on display made him wonder: what if such talents could be harnessed for good? What if developers became celebrated as problem-solvers tackling society’s toughest issues? This spark ignited a groundbreaking vision—a movement to rewrite the narrative around developers by creating an initiative that championed their potential to drive social impact.

From this vision emerged the Call for Code Global Initiative – an ongoing endeavor to unite developers and innovators worldwide in a “Justice League for Good,” inspiring millions to use their skills collectively to address the planet’s greatest challenges. Fueled by a mission to turn talent into tangible change, the Call for Code Global Initiative aims to propel developers into new frontiers, guiding them on a quest to solve critical global issues through innovative technology solutions.
THE INSPIRATION

In 2017, reports of malicious hacking swept across the globe, revealing a sobering truth: rogue developers wielded unprecedented power to disrupt elections and spread confusion on an astonishing scale. For David Clark, this was a wake-up call—a stark realization of the profoun d influence and potential impact that developers held in shaping the modern world.

OPPORTUNITY TO REBRAND DEVELOPERS

Clark recognized that these rogue developers, though powerful, were far from representing the broader developer community, whose integrity was now shadowed by the actions of a few. The skill, reach, and ingenuity on display made him wonder: what if such talents could be harnessed for good? What if developers became celebrated as problem-solvers tackling society’s toughest issues? This spark ignited a groundbreaking vision—a movement to rewrite the narrative around developers by creating an initiative that championed their potential to drive social impact.

From this vision emerged the Call for Code Global Initiative – an ongoing endeavor to unite developers and innovators worldwide in a “Justice League for Good,” inspiring millions to use their skills collectively to address the planet’s greatest challenges. Fueled by a mission to turn talent into tangible change, the Call for Code Global Initiative aims to propel developers into new frontiers, guiding them on a quest to solve critical global issues through innovative technology solutions.
GLOBAL SCALE

To mobilize developers worldwide, David Clark understood that he needed more than just a compelling vision—he needed a formidable coalition of organizations and stakeholders that could ignite the tech community’s desire for social impact. Convincing the United Nations of Call for Code’s transformative potential was a milestone; with the UN’s endorsement, he sought a purpose-driven, globally influential company as a “Founding Partner” that would embrace the mission of elevating developers as the true “change agents they are.” After an exhaustive, international search, Clark found an ideal partner in IBM, whose history of visionary projects aligned seamlessly with the initiative’s ambitions.

With the UN’s backing, Clark approached IBM’s senior leadership, who recognized the audacious scale of Call for Code and saw its resonance with the company’s legacy of groundbreaking innovation—after all, IBM was the company that helped put a man on the moon. The partnership was immediate and wholehearted, as IBM grasped the powerful humanitarian role developers could play through Call for Code, and how aligning with such a cause could positively shape both their business and the tech community at large.
GLOBAL SCALE

To mobilize developers worldwide, David Clark understood that he needed more than just a compelling vision—he needed a formidable coalition of organizations and stakeholders that could ignite the tech community’s desire for social impact. Convincing the United Nations of Call for Code’s transformative potential was a milestone; with the UN’s endorsement, he sought a purpose-driven, globally influential company as a “Founding Partner” that would embrace the mission of elevating developers as the true “change agents they are.” After an exhaustive, international search, Clark found an ideal partner in IBM, whose history of visionary projects aligned seamlessly with the initiative’s ambitions.

With the UN’s backing, Clark approached IBM’s senior leadership, who recognized the audacious scale of Call for Code and saw its resonance with the company’s legacy of groundbreaking innovation—after all, IBM was the company that helped put a man on the moon. The partnership was immediate and wholehearted, as IBM grasped the powerful humanitarian role developers could play through Call for Code, and how aligning with such a cause could positively shape both their business and the tech community at large.
GLOBAL AMPLIFICATION

Each year, to amplify the mission of the Call for Code Global Initiative, a resonant Cause Flash campaign is launched with purpose and precision, aligned with pressing global issues like natural disasters and climate change. These carefully timed, celebrity-powered social media blitzes tap into moments of significance to drive awareness around social justice themes integral to the initiative. Through this campaign, the collective reach of influential voices—spanning Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram—engages hundreds of millions worldwide, creating an instant call-to-action that cascades across social networks.

The campaign's core message is clear and urgent: a rallying cry to developers, innovators, and the public to rally behind the cause and propel the impact of the Call for Code Global Initiative. As followers and fans are inspired to share this message within their own communities, the reach and influence of the Cause Flash multiplies, fueling a wave of global awareness and mobilizing support for action on the critical issues we face today.
GLOBAL AMPLIFICATION

Each year, to amplify the mission of the Call for Code Global Initiative, a resonant Cause Flash campaign is launched with purpose and precision, aligned with pressing global issues like natural disasters and climate change. These carefully timed, celebrity-powered social media blitzes tap into moments of significance to drive awareness around social justice themes integral to the initiative. Through this campaign, the collective reach of influential voices—spanning Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram—engages hundreds of millions worldwide, creating an instant call-to-action that cascades across social networks.

The campaign's core message is clear and urgent: a rallying cry to developers, innovators, and the public to rally behind the cause and propel the impact of the Call for Code Global Initiative. As followers and fans are inspired to share this message within their own communities, the reach and influence of the Cause Flash multiplies, fueling a wave of global awareness and mobilizing support for action on the critical issues we face today.
GLOBAL AMPLIFICATION

Each year, to amplify the mission of the Call for Code Global Initiative, a resonant Cause Flash campaign is launched with purpose and precision, aligned with pressing global issues like natural disasters and climate change. These carefully timed, celebrity-powered social media blitzes tap into moments of significance to drive awareness around social justice themes integral to the initiative. Through this campaign, the collective reach of influential voices—spanning Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram—engages hundreds of millions worldwide, creating an instant call-to-action that cascades across social networks.

The campaign's core message is clear and urgent: a rallying cry to developers, innovators, and the public to rally behind the cause and propel the impact of the Call for Code Global Initiative. As followers and fans are inspired to share this message within their own communities, the reach and influence of the Cause Flash multiplies, fueling a wave of global awareness and mobilizing support for action on the critical issues we face today.
HIGHLIGHTS
2021 Call for Code Awards Highlights
Andra Day supports Call for Code for Racial Justice
Pitbull discusses Call for Code 2020
Lady Gaga encourages developers to participate in Call for Code
Highlights from the 2020 Call for Code Awards Celebration hosted by Van Jones and featuring Chelsea Clinton, Rivers Cuomo and the Soweto Gospel Choir
David Clark talks about the inspiration behind creating Call for Code and how the initiative has become the largest engagement of developers in history
Call for Code 2019 Explained
Call for Code 2020 Theme
Call for Code on EXTRA
Ron Livingston on Call for Code
Amber Heard - Call for Code
Call for Code 2019 Global Winner Prometeo takes care of firefighters health
2018 Call for Code Global Prize Winner - Project Owl
Chelsea Clinton on 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge

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