Citizens and researchers across Europe join forces to develop new solutions for climate
Over 300 citizens and researches have participated in the local hackathons, teaming up to find technological or social innovation solutions to challenges proposed by the citizens from all over Europe.
EU Sparks for Climate Final
EU Sparks for Climate reached an important milestone with its final hackathon event. On 10-11 October, a total of 27 teams composed by citizens and researchers from across Europe showcased innovative solutions to a broad audience and a panel of jury members gathered in Brussels.
Congratulations to the three champions!🏆
They made it to the EU Final, presented their ideas to the jury panel, and each team won in one of the following categories: Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, Adaptation to Climate-Change Mission, and Cross-Cutting.
Discover the finalists!
Apart from the 3 champions of the EU Sparks for Climate, 6 teams impressed the jury with their innovative solutions for their communities and regions. Check out their projects to see how they are making a positive impact.
Meet the teams that participated in the EU Final!
Discover the teams that took part in the EU Final on 10-11 October. Learn about the challenges they addressed and get to know the teams and their members.
Local hackathons
Dates and geographic coverage
Reykjavik Hackathon
Iceland
22 – 25 May 2024
Zagreb Hackathon
Croatia
22 – 25 May 2024
Athens Hackathon
Greece
30 May – 1 June 2024
Madrid Hackathon
Spain
30 May – 1 June 2024
Ankara Hackathon
Turkey
6 – 8 June 2024
Tirana Hackathon
Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina
6 -8 June 2024
Vilnius Hackathon
(integrated in the Tirana Hackathon)
Estonia and Lithuania
6 -8 June 2024
Cork-Louth Hackathon
(integrated in the Tirana Hackathon)
Ireland
6 -8 June 2024
Uppsala Hackathon
Sweden and Finland
13 – 15 June 2024
Coimbra Hackathon
Portugal
13 – 15 June 2024
Budapest Hackathon
(integrated in the Coimbra Hackathon)
Hungary
13 – 15 June 2024
L’Aquila Hackathon
(integrated in the Coimbra Hackathon)
Italy
13 – 15 June 2024
Burgas Hackathon
Bulgaria
20 – 22 June 2024
Bucharest Hackathon
Romania
20 – 22 June 2024
St. Julian Hackathon
(integrated in the Bucharest Hackathon)
Malta
20 – 22 June 2024
Ljubljana Hackathon
(integrated in the Bucharest Hackathon)
Slovenia and Czech republic
20 – 22 June 2024
Klagenfurt Hackathon
Austria
29 – 31 August 2024
Kassel Hackathon
(integrated in the Klagenfurt Hackathon)
Germany
29 – 31 August 2024
Poznan Hackathon
Poland
29 – 31 August 2024
Trondheim Hackathon
Norway, Latvia and Denmark
5 – 7 September 2024
Rotterdam Hackathon
Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg
5 – 7 September 2024
Paris Hackathon
(integrated in the Rotterdam Hackathon)
France
5 – 7 September 2024
The Knowledge Valorisation Policy
Context
Knowledge valorisation is the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge by linking different areas and sectors and transforming data, know-how and research results into sustainable products, services, solutions and knowledge-based policies that benefit society.
EU knowledge valorisation policy covers both technological and non-technological solutions that can derive benefits to the society as a whole. It calls for the participation of all actors in the research and innovation ecosystem including users, citizens and policy-makers.
EU Missions
Adapting to climate change means taking action to prepare and adjust to the current effects of climate change and its predicted impacts in the future.
Despite all the continuing efforts to reduce emissions and to achieve carbon neutrality, a warmer climate can’t be avoided anymore, and we need to be better prepared to cope with its inevitable effects by adapting our way of living. We must step up action to cut emissions and to build our resilience.
Cities are where many of us live, study, work, access healthcare and culture, and raise our families. They are also producing the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants that affect negatively our wellbeing and climate. This is why we need to achieve climate-neutral cities. What does this mean? It means keeping emissions so low that we leave hardly any impact on the environment.
Right now, 112 mission cities are racing to become climate-neutral by 2030 and inspire every city to do the same, and guess what? The citizens are the real heroes here, because for cities to achieve climate neutrality, we all need to step up and become climate-neutral citizens!