diff --git a/fet2020/fet2020/utils.py b/fet2020/fet2020/utils.py
index e4e87df4..abea0648 100644
--- a/fet2020/fet2020/utils.py
+++ b/fet2020/fet2020/utils.py
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 # util functions for all apps
+import uuid
+
 from django.contrib.admin.models import ADDITION, CHANGE, LogEntry
 from django.contrib.admin.utils import construct_change_message
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
@@ -22,3 +24,6 @@ def add_log_action(request, form, app_label, model, add=True):
         action_flag=action_flag,
         change_message=change_message,
     )
+
+def create_random_id():
+    return str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]