DHIS2 Digital Annual Conference Web & Android App Competition!

The Digital DHIS2 Annual Conference

21 - 25 June 2021

app competition


Submit Your Web App Submit Your Android App

We are now welcoming submissions of DHIS2 Apps for The Digital DHIS2 Annual Conference Web & Android App Competition!

The goal this year is to showcase the innovative work developers around the world are doing with DHIS2 for both web and mobile devices, and to highlight how the DHIS2 App Platform and Android SDK makes it easier to develop custom apps using shared tools. Finalists will be invited to present their Apps at the Digital Annual Conference! Winners will receive a prize to be announced later.

Background: Fostering Innovation through DHIS2 Common Tools

Recent years have seen an increasing number of DHIS2 applications developed independently by the global DHIS2 community. These apps typically offer features and functionalities that the core DHIS2 applications do not adequately cover. Some are generic and could be broadly adopted, while others target a specific DHIS2 use case.

The development of these applications ultimately enhances the DHIS2 experience for the end user and strengthens the DHIS2 platform ecosystem in general. To support this--and especially to make it easier for developers to design their own apps that integrate seamlessly into the DHIS2 core software--we have published toolkits for both Web and Android App development communities:

  • DHIS2 App Platform: Shares a suite of common tools that can be used to develop DHIS2 Web Apps: Read more
  • DHIS2 Android Software Development Kit (SDK): Facilitates the development of Android Apps using DHIS2 as a platform. Read more
The purpose of our competition in 2021 is to showcase innovative DHIS2 Web and Android Apps that make an impact, and to highlight how the use of these shared tools can make it easier to turn an app idea into a reality.

The Competition: Submit Your Web or Android App

We invite DHIS2 Web and Android developers from around the world to submit their best work. Members of the DHIS2 Core and Android Development teams will review the submission and rank them based on the criteria mentioned further below.

Finalists who will be selected will present their app at the Digital DHIS2 Annual Conference closing session where finalists will give a 15 minute presentation, followed by a voting process by all conference participants. The winners will be declared The DHIS2 Application of the Year!

Winners will receive a prize to be announced later.

Selection Criteria: The More Your App Meets, The Better Your Chance to Win
  • Impact: How does the application impact the work of end users or other beneficiaries? (or for apps that are still in development, what is the predicted impact?)
  • Common Tools: Does the application make use of common DHIS2 toolkits and libraries, such as the DHIS2 App Platform or Android SDK? Applications will be evaluated based on the use of DHIS2 tools and best practices as the recommended way to build sustainable applications. For instance, is the Web App using the DHIS2 App Platform’s main components such as App Scripts, App Runtime and the UI Library? Is the app following good practices when calling APIs?
  • Generic: Can the application be applied to a variety of use cases?
  • Accessible: Can your application be configured by another country or project without the direct involvement of the original developers?
  • Available:
    1. Is your application published online or easily available for download, for example via the DHIS2 App Hub?
    2. Is the application open source?
We also invite applications that were submitted last year but not selected as finalists to resubmit this year if significant revisions or improvements have been made to the application since the previous submission.

Submission Guidelines: Follow the Process Below, and Submit by Date

Web Apps

Make a brief video to demo your app. Videos should be no longer than 20 minutes, and should include information on:
  1. Who is the end user, how do they use the app, and how does it impact their lives or the lives of those they provide services for? (including interviews with end users is a plus)
  2. How is the app configured? (does not have to be overly technical)
  3. If you are re-submitting an application from last year's competition, what revisions and/or improvements have you made?
  4. You will be able upload your completed video to Google Drive, Dropbox, or your preferred file storage service and submit the link to it via our online submission form.
In the online submission form, you will also be required to submit your code to a public repository and include a brief written description of your app.

Submission deadline: 7 June 2021

Contact the DHIS2 Web Apps team with any questions: webapps@dhis2.org

Android Apps

Since the Android SDK is still new and the timeline for development before the Annual Conference is short, the DHIS2 Android team offers a staggered process that includes an initial support phase for new app ideas. Developers who do not wish to use the Android SDK or who have already completed their apps can proceed directly to the submission phase.

Support phase

For developers working on new apps (or app concepts) with the Android SDK, and who would like input from the DHIS2 Android team:
  • Prepare a brief description of your app (or app idea), including functionality, audience, impact, and relevance to the DHIS2 community
  • Register your idea via the online submission form as soon as possible
  • The Android team will contact registered participants with more information and support on using the Android SDK
  • Submit your code and documentation to the Android Team, following the guidelines described below
Submission Phase

To submit finished apps (or proofs of concept!):
  • Make a brief video to demo your app. Videos should be no longer than 20 minutes, and should include information on:
    1. Who is the end user, how do they use the app, and how does it impact their lives or the lives of those they provide services for? (including interviews with end users is a plus)
    2. How is the app configured? (does not have to be overly technical)
    3. If you are re-submitting an application from last year's competition, what revisions and/or improvements have you made?
  • You will be able upload your completed video to Google Drive, Dropbox, or your preferred file storage service and submit the link to it via our online submission form.
  • In the online submission form, you will also be required to submit your code to a public repository and include a brief written description of your app
  • Prepare a brief document describing the functionality (end user manual)
  • Prepare a brief technical document describing the architecture of the app
  • Prepare a brief document (it can be a README in github) describing how to build the app from the code
Submission deadline for Android Apps is 7 June.

Contact the DHIS2 Android Apps team with any questions: android@dhis2.org

We understand the timeline limitations, so we are not expecting fully developed and deployed apps. If your app is not part of an ongoing project, just build a proof of concept of that super idea you have in mind and show us what you are able to do with the Android SDK!