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.

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.

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.

Meet the teams that participated in the EU Final!

Explore the challenges tackled at the local hackathons and learn more about the 27 teams that participated in the EU Final.

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

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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.

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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!

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