Asia-Pacific is home to more than 1.1 billion young people, yet their political and civic participation remains one of the weakest areas of engagement. While youth have been at the forefront of social movements, they are often excluded from decision-making spaces and face a lack of institutional trust. 

With this in mind, the Regional Civic Tech Innovation Challenge on Governance was launched by UNDP in partnership with the Open Government Partnership, Accountability Lab, and CurveUp to reposition young people from passive beneficiaries to proactive problem-solvers, equipping them with mentorship, networks, and resources to scale their civic innovations. 

The call for applications was simple yet ambitious: reimagine governance with youth-led digital solutions that make societies more transparent, inclusive, and accountable. 

Young innovators across Asia and the Pacific responded with energy and creativity. In just a few weeks, we received over 250 applications from 30 countries, proving that the appetite for reshaping governance through technology is not only regional but truly global. 

With the insights from the applications, this is what we learned: 

The Trends on Civic Tech - Civic Engagement Has Broadened in Scope 

Civic technology is the newest chapter in a long history of citizen engagement, powered by the tools of the digital age. The principles of participation, accountability, and transparency remain, but technology has expanded the ways in which citizens connect with institutions, influence decisions, and co-create solutions. 

We are seeing three clear trends in this evolution. First, engagement is moving from elite-driven to mass-driven, with young people mobilizing communities and amplifying diverse voices. Second, digital tools, such as AI-powered dashboards and participatory mapping apps, make participation more accessible, scalable, and timely. Third, there is a growing emphasis on power-sharing, where governments and citizens co-design policies and services. This is not only about transparency, but also about transforming governance itself.  

What Strong Civic Tech Solutions Have in Common 

Across diverse contexts, the most effective civic tech initiatives share a set of reinforcing elements that make them impactful. They start by amplifying citizen voices and ensuring access to credible information. They enable institutions to respond, translating input into improved services or decisions. They then close the loop by showing citizens how their contributions made a difference. 

When this chain is intact, it builds trust and sustains participation. When one link is weak - voice without responsiveness, or transparency without accountability - engagement risks becoming performative. Strong civic tech sustains participation by completing the cycle of listening, acting, and reporting back. 

Evolving Models of Civic Technologies 

Youth-led solutions are diverse. Some are “strictly defined civic tech”, directly linking citizens with institutions, such as service-feedback platforms, participatory budgeting portals, or grievance dashboards. Others are “loosely defined civic tech”, building civic capacity through tools like community mapping or civic education, with potential to evolve into governance innovations. 

Many teams experimented with emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence was utilized to analyze citizen feedback and automate language translation, while Internet of Things devices, such as sensors, smart meters, and mobile phones, powered solutions for disaster response, urban planning, and participatory budgeting. These innovations expand the reach of citizen voices, especially for marginalized communities. 

Common Gaps, and Ingredients for Impact 

From observing youth‑led civic tech efforts across the region, several recurring challenges emerge. Engagement can remain tokenistic, with input invited but not acted upon. Many tools operate outside government systems, limiting policy impact. Sustainability is fragile, with initiatives often reliant on short-term funding or volunteerism efforts. Privacy and safety risks also surface, particularly when handling sensitive data in fragile contexts. 

Yet, there are various ingredients to increase the likelihood of lasting impact. Initiatives that influence decisions, rather than only raising awareness, tend to gain traction. Those integrated into official processes, such as budgeting or planning, are more likely to be institutionalized and scaled. Feedback loops strengthen trust, while inclusive design ensures marginalized voices shape outcomes. Embedding privacy, safety, and long-term sustainability from the outset helps civic tech remain both innovative and resilient.