Hackathon Greece

Open Innovation Hackathon Greece 2026: Resilient Cities

Open Innovation Hackathon Greece 2026 – Resilient Cities invites innovators, students, researchers, and professionals to tackle real-world urban challenges. This year, the hackathon focuses on topics from the SPARROW project, including smart evacuation, urban resilience during digital blackouts, and flood management.

Date and Location

March 28, 2026 (Friday 10:00 – 18:00)
SYNERGEIO Cultural Space, Larissa, Greece

Who Can Join

The hackathon is open to everyone aged 18 and above:
· University students (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral)
· Researchers and academics
· Startup founders, business professionals, and innovators
You can join with your own team or register as an individual – teams can also be formed on-site.

Entry Fee

Free participation – includes refreshments and access to workshops.

What is a Hackathon

A hackathon is an intensive, collaborative event where ideas turn into solutions. Teams combine creativity, technical skills, and strategy to solve challenges in a limited time frame.

Why Join

Hackathons are about more than solutions – they are about experience, collaboration, and exploring innovative ideas. Share your ideas, push boundaries, and help develop solutions that make cities safer and more resilient.

Challenges (SPARROW Project)

· Smart Evacuation: Innovative systems to guide citizens safely and support first responders.
· Urban Resilience in Digital Collapse: Solutions to maintain communication, mobility, and essential services during blackouts.
· Flood Prevention and Management: Smart technologies for early warning, risk mitigation, and operational response during floods.

Submission Information – Deadlines

· Submission opens: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
· Submission deadline: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 12:00 AM
· Format: PPTX (max 12 slides), optionally with a supporting Word document (max 500 words)

Proposal Structure

1. Identification of need / Action framework (3 slides)
2. Existing solutions (1 slide)
3. Proposed solution (2–3 slides)
4. Budget (1 slide)
5. Team presentation (1 slide)
6. Expected results / Risk analysis (1–2 slides)

Participation Terms

· Teams: 2–5 members
· Participants must be 18+
· Maximum 9 teams; if submissions exceed this, an Evaluation Committee selects participants
· Teams must be physically present at SYNERGEIO Cultural Space (at least one member required)

Evaluation Process

· Proposals evaluated by an Evaluation Committee within two days after the submission deadline
· Each team presents to the committee (max. 5 minutes)
· Evaluation criteria: team composition, proposal maturity, relevance to the challenge, feasibility, and expected results

Prizes

· Cash prizes
· Material prizes and special surprises

Event Website

https://innoventforum.joistpark.eu/en/?agenda-session=hackathon-teams-pitching

Partners

City of Larissa, SYNERGEIO Cultural Space, Greek Universities, SPARROW Project Partners

This hackathon is a unique opportunity for collaboration, innovation, and developing solutions that enhance urban resilience during crises.