Open Data Infrastructure for Volunteering Hackathon.

Every year, millions of people in England volunteer their time, yet opportunities are often hidden behind disconnected systems. The Developing an Open Data Infrastructure for Volunteering and Social Action programme, supported by DCMS and delivered by the Open Data Institute in partnership with Do IT and Team Kinetic, is developing an open data standard to change that.

Our two-day hackathon will bring together volunteer platforms, developers, and community organisations to test the first draft of the standard and explore how open data can connect more people with opportunities to help.

Participants will work on practical challenges, test data flows between systems, and discuss what’s needed to make this approach work across the sector.

When: 3–4 December 2025, please note that this event takes place over two days

Where: In person, Mary Ward House, Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SN

Who should take part:

• Volunteer platform teams and developers.
• Volunteering SMEs and digital innovators.
• Students and researchers interested in civic technology.
• Representatives of grassroots volunteering organisations.

Why attend:

• Be among the first to help shape a new national open standard for volunteering data.
• Work with peers to solve real interoperability challenges.
• Contribute directly to a fairer, more connected volunteering ecosystem.

Register your interest now to take part and help build the foundations for a stronger, more open volunteering system.