Hack the Future:

24h Brain Activity

for Public Sector Solutions

hackathon

October 24-25, 2024, Kaunas, Lithuania

Do you want to build a better future for public services?

We đź’› tech for good purposes!

Join the hackathon which aims to utilize cutting-edge technologies to solve public sector challenges

🌍 4 countries

Lithuania, Latvia, Finland and Poland

🎯 10+

Challenges

đź’¬ 2 days

October 24-25 in Tech-Park Kaunas, Lithuania


Why worth it?

Let's work together to create innovations that enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of public services!

Turn your skills into rewards! Compete for a share of 3000 Eur in cash and 1000 Eur in valuable extras. In addition to prizes, winners will gain recognition, opening doors to future opportunities.

Demo Pitch. Get the chance to present your solution in front of a panel of experts.

Expert Guidance. Throughout the hackathon, you'll have access to seasoned experts from various fields—tech, business, and public sector.

Supportive Community. Collaboration is key! From brainstorming to prototyping, you’ll have the opportunity to network, collaborate, and form lasting connections with people who want to make a difference.


How to participate?

You’re already on the right path just by reading this! Over 12 organizations from the Baltic Sea region have identified key challenges citizens face or areas where tech solutions are needed.

Explore the challenge descriptions and find the SPECIAL ONE that sparks your interest or aligns with your expertise. Whether you want to solve it solo or with a team, this is your chance to create a meaningful tech solution!

Submit your draft solution. Imagine how you could elaborate on this solution solving.

Drafts will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

(1) Novelty (scientific and/or technological excellence, cross-industry, cross-sector and cross-national dimension) – 1/3 share. 

(2) Business potential (market need, business development potential, market impact, team skills & experience) – 1/3 share. 

(3) Technical/scientific match (fit with the challenge, implementation) – 1/3 share. 

Each criterion will be awarded a score of 1-10. 

Apply by sharing your skills and how you can contribute—whether you’re a developer, designer, or innovator. The organizers will contact the most motivated and fitting participants.

Feel free to bring a friend or gather a whole team and register together!

Discover the challenges

#1

AI-Powered Consultation System 

Category: Digital transformation

Challenge owner: The State Forest Service, Kaunas, Lithuania

The State Forest Service is looking for innovative solutions to streamline their consultation process. Currently, over 6 hours per day are spent answering repetitive inquiries, and they need an AI-based system that can generate accurate responses, provide specialist contacts, and allow live consultation bookings. The system will be available 24/7 at regional offices, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

#2

AI-Powered Chatbot for Library Modernization 

Category: Digital transformation 

Challenge owner: Kaunas County Public Library (Ąžuolyno biblioteka), Kaunas, Lithuania  

Kaunas County Public Library aims to revolutionize its online presence by developing an AI-powered chatbot that seamlessly interacts with users. The task is to design a WordPress plugin integrating advanced language models (like ChatGPT, Claude, or Llama 3.1) that processes both textual and visual content. This bilingual bot will enhance the user experience by providing precise answers and assistance, making library services more accessible and engaging for all users.   

#3

A Route Planning for Walking in the City During the Extreme Heat 

Category: Urban mobility 

Challenge owner: Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, Lithuania 

As climate change progresses, we increasingly encounter prevalent hot weather. In the city, walking to reach a desired destination during hot and sunny weather can become a real challenge. Particularly vulnerable during such journeys are the elderly and those suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Current navigation apps select the closest routes because pedestrians could benefit from the shade provided by trees and buildings, thereby avoiding direct sunlight. This prevents the journey from being made more comfortable and safer for health. 

#4

Public Problem Troubleshooting Information Chain

Category: Smart cities & infrastructure | Public safety | Digital transformation

Challenge owner: SIA Smiltenes NKUP, Smiltene, Latvia

Currently, public issues like disturbances or broken infrastructure are reported through multiple channels (calls, messages, social media), causing duplicate reports and slowing response times. The challenge is to develop a platform where people can report issues, track progress in real-time, and avoid duplicate complaints. This will streamline the process for both citizens and municipalities, allowing them to focus on resolving issues faster.

#5

Streamlining Market Organization

Category: Entrepreneurship support | Digital transformation

Challenge owner: Smiltene Municipality, Smiltene, Latvia

Organizing large-scale markets with over 100 businesses twice a year requires significant administrative effort – from managing applications to processing payments and setting up venues. The task is to create a centralized platform that simplifies the entire process, from application submission to invoicing, minimizing organizer involvement and reducing errors. The platform must be user-friendly, accommodating varying levels of digital literacy among participants.

#6

Enhancing Public Access to Rauna Medieval Castle's Hidden Heritage

Category: Cultural and historical heritage

Challenge owner: Rauna Cultural and Historical Heritage Center, Smiltene Municipality, Latvia

Rauna Medieval Castle is a vital archaeological monument in the Baltic region, but much of its historical significance remains hidden underground or inaccessible. The challenge is to develop a modern, technology-based solution that allows visitors to explore the castle's hidden treasures, such as archaeological findings, underground walls, and lost architectural elements. This solution should work on smart devices and make the castle's rich history more accessible to the public.

#7

Automatic Ice Phenomena Monitoring

Category: Digital transformation

Challenge owner: Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, Lithuania

Observers working at water measurement stations determine daily, for example, that there is dense frazil ice (8 points), or the river is frozen, or there is water vegetation along the shore (3 points), and so on. Automatic monitoring of ice phenomena, using video footage or other means, would help to observe such phenomena more efficiently, and perhaps more accurately.

#8

City Traffic Optimization

Category: Digital transformation 

Challenge owner: Kaunas IN agency, Kaunas, Lithuania  

Kaunas City Municipality is inviting tech hackathon participants to tackle the challenge of optimizing city traffic for a smarter, greener, and more efficient urban experience. Participants will be tasked with developing innovative solutions that leverage real-time data, intelligent systems, and sustainable approaches to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and enhance public transportation. The goal is to create a future-proof traffic management model that benefits residents and visitors while reducing the city's carbon footprint.

  

#9

Exploring the Potential of Digital Twin for Urban Development

Category: Smart Cities & Infrastructure 

Challenge owner: City of Jämsä, Finland  

The City of Jämsä seeks an innovative digital twin solution to enhance urban planning and resource allocation across its multi-centered region. Participants are tasked with developing a digital twin that engages residents, businesses, and stakeholders in the planning process, decentralizes development, and analyzes collected data using tools like AI. The solution should make urban planning more accessible and participatory for all age groups. 

#10

Automated Alt Text Generation for Digital Accessibility 

Category: Digital transformation

Challenge owner: Municipality of Pruszcz Gdański, Poland

Public institutions in Poland are required by law to provide alternative text (alt text) for images on their websites to ensure accessibility for users with visual impairments. However, manually adding alt text to large photo galleries is time-consuming and often leads to incomplete descriptions. The challenge is to develop an AI-powered tool that automates the alt text generation process, seamlessly integrating with Rubic CMS and WordPress. This tool must ensure WCAG compliance and allow for manual adjustments.

#11

Local B2C Relationship Tool for Targówek District in Poland 

Category: Economic and social development | Local market development 

Challenge owner: Targówek District Hall, Warsaw, Poland   

Targówek District, known for its strong economic activity, aims to strengthen the relationship between local businesses and residents. The challenge is to develop an IT tool that connects local entrepreneurs with residents by providing access to business data, product offers, customer reviews, and promotional opportunities. This solution should integrate AI, AR, and other technologies to facilitate engagement, joint purchases, and community-driven commerce, all managed easily by the district office.  

#12

Student Organizations' Network Development Tool 

Category: Education | Networking 

Challenge owner: Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland  

Student research clubs at the Warsaw School of Economics operate independently, often with limited collaboration and scattered resources. The goal is to develop an IT tool that centralizes data on student organizations, facilitates collaboration, and streamlines the sharing of initiatives and resources. The tool should use AI to analyze data, connect organizations, and promote joint events, while offering a user-friendly interface to foster engagement and coordination.

#13

Cutting-edge Solutions to Transform Joensuu’s City Center 

Category: Environmental sustainability | Smart cities & infrastructure

Challenge owner: City of Joensuu, Finland

Joensuu seeks innovative solutions to revitalize its city center, enhancing its appeal, functionality, and sustainability. Participants are tasked with addressing key challenges, such as modernizing public spaces, promoting sustainable urban planning, improving transportation, and fostering community engagement. The goal is to create a vibrant, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable urban environment that attracts new businesses and enhances the quality of life for all residents and visitors.

#14

IT-based Solutions to Address Disorderly Behavior and Wild Geese in Heinola’s Parks

Category: Public Safety

Challenge owner: City of Heinola, Finland

Heinola’s parks face issues with disruptive behavior from alcohol and drug users, as well as the invasion of wild geese. These problems impact public safety, cleanliness, and the local economy. The city is looking for IT-based solutions that can manage and monitor these issues, such as smart surveillance systems, digital deterrent tools, or apps to report incidents in real-time. The goal is to create a safe and clean environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. 

#15

Innovative companies' application form 

Category: Smart cities 

Challenge owner: TIPVA, Lithuania 

TIPVA association presents a unique challenge for hackathon participants: redesigning the application form process for innovative companies. The goal is to create a streamlined, user-friendly experience that encourages creativity and simplifies the submission of groundbreaking ideas. Participants must integrate modern technologies to ensure efficiency, accessibility, and clarity for applicants of all tech backgrounds. This challenge invites forward-thinking solutions that foster science and technology parks' reputation as hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship.

MENTORS AND EXPERTS

Get to know our Superheroes Club

Dr. Andrius Puksas

Vice-chairman at The Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania

Inga Uus

Marketing strategist, Business development consultant, product innovation and new product development specialist

Martynas Bajoraitis

Cyber security specialist, NodeJS, Java, Angular, React, PHP, Spring Boot expert

DeimantÄ— JenceviÄŤienÄ—

Project expert, R&D grants, innovation funding

Evaldas Guogis

Senior Software Developer, leading a small team working on a cloud platform for middleware development

Dr. Erika VaiginienÄ—

Foresight methodologist skilled in Business Planning, Analytical Skills, and Coaching

Dr. Neringa Ĺ eperienÄ—

Member of Tech-Park Kaunas community, co-founder of a startup BrachyDOSE

Aivaras KnieĹľa

International Sales and Business Development Expert, Sales Director, Elinta Charge

Milda GaulienÄ—

Marketing and communication expert, also skilled in project management; marketing specialist at Nando

Tomas ProsceviÄŤius

Entrepreneurial Project Manager at KTU Startup Space with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry

Sergey Troshkov

Experienced business advisor from AR-GO lab Oy with working experience both in the public and private sectors

PhD Eng Michal Klepka

Director of Urban Policy and Innovation at Mazovia Development Agency, lecturer, and innovation-driven entrepreneur

Timeline

September 30, 2024

Submit your ideas

October 12, 2024

Announcement of selected solutions

October 24-25, 2024

Hackathon in Kaunas

Hackathon Agenda

Get ready for inspiring topics

We’ll begin with presentation skills workshops to help you confidently showcase your ideas. Next, dive into public speaking sessions to sharpen your pitch delivery and storytelling.

Find out about networking skills

Plenty of time for networking, where you’ll connect with like-minded innovators and potential collaborators.

Meet the entrepreneurs and business mentors

Throughout the hackathon, you’ll have access to one-on-one mentoring sessions with industry experts to guide you in refining your ideas and tackling challenges.

OCT 24

9:00 – 9:30

Registration and welcome coffee

9:30 – 9:50 

Opening and keynote address (Katriin Vannik, LUT University, Finland)

9:50 – 10:10

Introduction to the program and overview of challenges

10:10 – 11:10

Inspirational session: Creativity Changes Everything (Tomas Ramanauskas, creativity expert, Lithuania) 

11:10 – 13:00

Hacking session 1: work in groups, meetings with challenges owners, consultations with mentors

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch break

14:00 – 17:00

Hacking session 2: work in groups, consultations with mentors

17:00 – 17:30

How to pitch the idea: workshop (Paulius Nezabitauskas, director at Tech-Park Kaunas, Lithuania)

17:30 – 17:40

Wrap-up of the day

17:40 – 18:30 

Leisure time: snacks, VR/AR activities

18:30 – 22:00

Late-night work session

OCT 25

9:00 – 9:20

Registration, coffee

9:20 – 9:30

Opening of the day

9:30 – 11:00

Individual work: getting ready for a pitch

11:00 – 12:00 

Fine-tuning the pitch: one-on-one consultations

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch break

13:00 – 14:30

Pitching session

14:30 – 15:30

Networking break

15:30 – 16:00

Awards ceremony

Organizers

Our Friends and Partners


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