UWBHacks - Billboard

dash
auth
filter
initiative
comment
new
profile

Inspiration

We were inspired by the gap between everyday people's voices and the lawmakers who represent them. Right now, it’s difficult for individuals to easily publish ideas for change and rally community support without complex barriers. We wanted to create a simple, accessible platform where anyone can publish initiatives, sign ones they support, and give grassroots movements a real chance to be heard.

What it does

Our platform allows users to post new initiatives, browse initiatives by tags or topics, and sign ones they agree with. Initiatives can gain traction based on community support, making it easier to raise awareness and show lawmakers what people care about. It's like a digital bulletin board for change.

How we built it

We built a web app using React for the frontend and Firebase for user authentication, database storage, and real-time syncing. We focused on making the user experience smooth and intuitive, with features like searchable initiatives, tag-based filtering, and a clean initiative creation form.

Challenges we ran into

One challenge was designing a database structure flexible enough to handle users, initiatives, signatures, and filters without becoming overly complicated.
Another was making sure the signing system was secure — we needed to prevent spam but keep it easy for real users to participate.
We also spent time refining the UI to balance clarity with functionality, especially around browsing and filtering initiatives.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Building a fully functional MVP during the hackathon timeframe
Implementing a clean, modular React frontend with responsive design
Successfully integrating Firebase authentication and real-time database updates
Creating a simple and accessible way for users to raise their voices

What we learned

We learned a lot about database design for user-generated content platforms and how small UX details (like intuitive tag filters) make a big difference for engagement. We also got experience balancing fast development with planning scalable backend structures that could grow in the future.

What's next for UWBHacks - Billboard

We want to add features like:

Verified legislator accounts, so they can view and comment on initiatives directly
Shareable initiative pages to help users spread the word on social media
A notification system to alert users when initiatives they support reach milestones
Better moderation tools to maintain a positive and focused environment Ultimately, we hope Billboard can become a real bridge between communities and their representatives.