What is Civic Tech

There is no universally accepted definition for civic tech because it encompasses a broad range of ideas, services, and products.

So at Civic Tech DC, we define it as:

People using technology to strengthen civic life.

Unlike traditional “gov tech,” which often focuses on internal government systems, civic tech is typically community-driven and public-interest oriented. It’s about building tools with and for communities to strengthen democracy and everyday civic participation.

In the past, when Civic Tech DC was Code for DC, we regularly used the term “civic hacking.” From the archives of the early 2020s:

In its most basic sense, civic hacking means finding creative solutions for civic problems. We often focus on the technical side of things, but that is by no means the only approach, and the best solution often changes from issue to issue. For example, a low-tech civic hack could involve walking around a neighborhood with a clipboard to collect and share data not tracked by the city. Civic hackers often work with the local government and/or community organizations.

For a more in-depth introduction to civic hacking, see this chapter in Josh Tauberer’s Open Government Data: The Book.