Internet, Investments, Latvia, Technology, USA

"GoMap Riga" has been included among the 12 winners of a digital media competition organized by the center, who will share prize money of USD 2.74 million (LVL 1.56 million). Several thousand projects were submitted to the competition.

Latvian businessmen Marcis Rubenis and Kristofs Blaus' project "GoMap Riga" involves creating an Internet site with a live, interactive map of Riga, where users can add information on events and activities. The project will involve the development of new mobile technology, as well as being integrated with the major existing social networks, such as "twitter", "gmail.com", and "draugiem.lv".

Users will be able to add news, photos, and videos, and get involved in discussions on how to improve their local neighborhood, creating civic participation through mobile technology. It will first be tested in Riga, Latvia, before becoming available in other cities.

The Knight Center for Journalism's News Challenge Awards is the world's largest competition for innovative ideas which use digital technology to inform specific local communities.