Multigenerational Hackathon on Sustainable Development

Hackathons are short-term and immersive learning experiences where people come together to brainstorm solutions for real-world issues. Originated in the late 20th century, this concept gained momentum within the tech community. Over time, it has evolved into a global phenomenon, transcending topics and disciplines. The essence lies in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging participants to combine their knowledge and perspectives in the development of innovative solutions. 

For this hackathon, we have collected a dozen of real-life sustainable development challenges from local stakeholders. As a participant, you can choose your favourite topic(s) and you will be assigned to a group. Every group will focus on a different issue. On the 2nd of May, the hackathon will be launched and all groups will meet their stakeholders, and learn tips and tricks for effective brainstorming. During the month of May, with the help of the societal organisation and a mentor, your group will dive in depth to understand the problem and find an innovative solution. On the 30th of May, the groups will present their ideas.

• Extended Period. This hackathon will take place over the period of one month instead of 1-2 days. This extended period will allow you to delve deeper into the problem and refine your ideas. You will also have more time to connect with your peers via team building activities as well as the social organisation via a small excursion.

• Tailored Challenges. This hackathon does not have one topic and one problem owner for hundreds of people; instead we have multiple societal organisations involved, each one with its own sustainable development challenge. This will allow you to choose the topics that you are most interested in. Moreover, having one problem owner per group allows participants to build more meaningful connections with the social organisation and to better understand the complexity of the problem.

• Interdisciplinarity. Every group will have students from different disciplines. The hackathon aims to foster collaboration and innovation by integrating diverse perspectives and expertise in order to address complex real-world challenges. You will have the opportunity to work with peers from other fields of study and learn how to build on one another's knowledge to brainstorm effective solutions.

• Multigenerational feature. This hackathon is not only for students but it is also open to practitioners and the general public. We firmly believe in the importance of tapping into both academic knowledge with societal knowledge, and to combine expertise, perspective and skills from different generations.

During the month of May you will meet with peers (both students and professionals) who are interested in solving the same challenge as you. Guided by a mentor, you will help the societal organisation to solve their sustainable development issue. The time investment requested is 1 afternoon in the first week (2nd of May - Opening) and the last week (30th May - Closing) + a couple of hours per week in between to work with your team. This hackathon will give you the opportunity to network with both students and professionals, and learn how to apply your knowledge in the real world. Every group who will manage to successfully complete the challenge will receive a prize of 250 euros.

Which societal organisations are involved?

Each challenge involved a different societal stakeholder.

1. Map Natural Areas: LandschappenNL with the project GreenMapper

2. Engage young volunteers: Nivon

3. Promote plant-based protein: The Municipality of Groningen protein transition agenda

4. Wet peatland: Groeningen

5. Financial Struggles: Oosterparkwijk

6. Inclusive language: Football club

7. Sustainable Houses: Groene Korrewegwijk

8. Ai/blockchain: Internationaal Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen

9. Entrepreneurial skills: Uganda NGO

10. Scale out sustainable initiatives: Ecosystem Restoration Communities movement