Connecting cities and citizens

In 2020, almost 300 municipal actors from more than 45 cities from all over the world took part in the Connective Cities Lab 'Virtual Global Exchange', opening doors to solving issues in new and creative ways.

This November, Connective Cities Lab is launching its global Hackathon to facilitate the exchange between municipal actors, developers, designers, technologists and everyone who has a desire to apply their skills to help cities flourish.

Through open innovation, design thinking, and agile work methodologies, the Connective Cities Lab Hackathon aims to:

• Aid municipalities to address global pandemic challenges and to create a digital environment for collaboration and the implementation of joint solutions
• Facilitate open dialog, co-creation, and collaboration between municipalities and talented citizens (makers)

1Innovation cluster

In what ways can digital and physical innovation ecosystems prevent brain drain and recoup talents from the diaspora?

How can we utilize technology to revitalize and occupy empty city spaces?

2Crisis communication cluster

Fighting trolls and fake news with media & tech literacy: In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, what tools should social actors use to combat dangerous misinformation and radicalization tendencies?

Hacking bureaucracy and overcoming miscommunication: what are the most effective ways to optimize, automate and amplify internal information sharing between municipal sectors during the crisis?

3Digitalisation cluster

Digital infrastructure vs accessibility & literacy: How can we help municipalities overcome the digital divide both internally and externally and enhance digital literacy?

Global funding finder: Building tools to help municipal actors find funding opportunities to support the post-crisis revitalization of cities

What is a hackathon?

A hackathon is a design sprint-like event where teams of individuals with various types of skills gather to come up with new solutions to existing challenges. The Connective Cities Hackathon is focusing on a plethora of current challenges that cities and city municipalities face due to the global pandemic.

Do I need to have coding skills to participate?

You don’t need coding skills to participate in the hackathon. Connective Cities Hackathon welcomes everyone who has a desire to apply their skills to help cities flourish. For more information, please take a look here.

What is open innovation?

An open innovation model is a way to spur innovation by collaborating with people outside a company. It encourages organizations to use existing outside knowledge rather than reinventing the wheel. Connective Cities Hackathon is based on the idea of open innovation and aims to help municipalities to establish connections with talented individuals (makers) to apply creative ways for solving challenges.

What should I expect?

Connective Cities Hackathon enables individuals (makers) to bring ideas to life and municipalities to find creative ways to solving their current shared challenges. Participants will be able to work in a team from the comfort of their own homes and make an impact.

I want to join the Hackathon, what are my next steps?

1. Both individuals and municipalities can register to participate by filling out this form.
2. You can also join our Info Day on November 9th, 2021 to receive detailed information about the course of the Hackathon.

Until when can I sign up?

The deadline to submit your application is November 17th, 2021.

What does it mean to be a mentor and how can I be one?

Mentors give the tools, knowledge and assistance that participants need to succeed in transforming their ideas into practical and useful solutions. Mentors are also responsible for being available to help quickly resolve specific problems, advise and challenge the teams. To become a mentor, please fill out this form.