Chattogram:A group of young individuals from Chattogram, known as the "Digi Defenders," has gained national recognition for their efforts to combat cyberbullying and online harassment. They have been selected as one of eight teams from 371 applicants nationwide for the "DKC Digital Respect and Cohesion Fellowship 2026."
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the fellowship is organized by Surge Bangladesh, a youth-led social organization. Recently, a three-day innovation hackathon was held at the Kokomo Sunset Resort in Gazipur, where 24 young innovators from eight divisions across the country gathered to develop their ideas and formulate action plans.
Representing Chattogram, the Digi Defenders will be actively involved in awareness campaigns over the next three months. Their mission is to promote safe internet practices and engage the youth in tackling online harassment throughout the Chattogram division.
Team coordinator Bibi Umme Fatima mentioned that the team participated in the fellowship on behalf of the organization Nabajagaran. During the hackathon, they refined their strategies and are now set to implement awareness campaigns across the division.
Rakibul Hasan Rakib, a member of the team, highlighted the growing concern of online harassment and cyberbullying among today's youth. He emphasized that one of the initiative's main goals is to raise awareness about these issues and encourage safe internet use among young people.
The organizers revealed that the selection process involved a rigorous screening of 371 applications, with 130 teams shortlisted for interviews. After several rounds of selection, eight teams, one from each division, were chosen. Each team comprises three members.
The initiative aims to enable the selected teams to develop innovative solutions that enhance the safety, respect, and inclusivity of online spaces in their respective areas. It also seeks to strengthen religious tolerance, mutual respect, and social cohesion through youth leadership and collaboration.
The "Digital Khichuri Challenge" (DKC) was launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2016 to engage young people in addressing social issues through digital innovation. The 2026 fellowship is an extension of this initiative.