Hackathon problem statements

DLT testing tools: DLT testing tools

The "DLT Testbeds" challenge focused on benchmarking the boundaries of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) with a focus on its protocol performance and energy efficiency. This involved creating or refining frameworks to measure transaction speeds,  energy consumption, robustness, and scalability. 

Data Protection / Whistleblowing

This subtopic focused on personal data protection and data governance as key enablers of an improved digitalized societal model.

Wild Card/DLT-IoT-AI Convergence

The "Wild Card / DLT-IoT-AI Convergence" challenge invited participants to break new ground by developing innovative tech solutions that harness the synergy of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This challenge was about exploring the intersections of these technologies to create scalable, secure, and efficient solutions for the digital future.

Data Sharing

This subtopic focused on data sharing as a key enabler for innovation ecosystems.

Improving Women’s Journey in Obesity

Obesity presents a multifaceted challenge in women’s health, significantly impacted by life stages such as pregnancy and menopause, which bring unique hormonal changes and increase the risk of related conditions like Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). This challenge calls for innovative minds to:

• Address Specific Needs: Design innovative management and prevention strategies that address obesity in women, particularly focusing on those dealing with GDM and the hormonal changes of menopause.
• Prevent Long-term Risks: Develop impactful solutions that not only manage but also prevent the escalation from GDM to Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and address the multifaceted nature of post-menopausal obesity.
• Empower Through Personalisation: Engineer personalised, intuitive support systems and educational tools that empower women to take control of their health during these vulnerable and pivotal life stages.

Pregnancy and postpartum care

Despite Sweden's advanced healthcare system, pregnant and postpartum women often face fragmented care and language barriers, leading to uncertainty and unequal access to support. We're inviting you to change this narrative through innovation:

• Bridge Care Gaps: Develop solutions that offer continuous and accessible support, from pregnancy through to postpartum recovery, addressing the fragmentation in the Swedish healthcare system.
• Democratise Information: Create user-friendly digital platforms for reliable, easy-to-access information, eliminating confusion and uncertainty for pregnant women.
• Break Language and Cultural Barriers: Innovate to overcome language and cultural barriers in pregnant women, ensuring equal access to quality care and information.
• Replicate Doula Support: Conceptualise ways to extend the personalised care and support provided by doulas to every pregnant woman, improving both experience and outcomes.

Diagnosis for Neurodivergent Girls

Neurodivergent girls, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), often face overlooked symptoms and diagnostic gender biases, leaving them without the support they need. This challenge seeks to address these disparities by inviting innovators like you to:

• Unveiling the Invisible: Develop innovative tools or methodologies to accurately identify and diagnose ASD and ADHD in girls, who often remain under the radar due to nuanced symptoms or masking behaviours.
• Challenging Biases: Contribute to erasing gender biases in diagnosis and support, paving the way for early and effective interventions.
• Holistic Support: Envision comprehensive solutions that aid in managing conditions like ASD and ADHD in young women, addressing co-occurring challenges such as anxiety and depression.

Preventing Intimate Partner Violence

Neurodivergent girls, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), often face overlooked symptoms and diagnostic gender biases, leaving them without the support they need. This challenge seeks to address these disparities by inviting innovators like you to:

• Unveiling the Invisible: Develop innovative tools or methodologies to accurately identify and diagnose ASD and ADHD in girls, who often remain under the radar due to nuanced symptoms or masking behaviours.
• Challenging Biases: Contribute to erasing gender biases in diagnosis and support, paving the way for early and effective interventions.
• Holistic Support: Envision comprehensive solutions that aid in managing conditions like ASD and ADHD in young women, addressing co-occurring challenges such as anxiety and depression.

Health equality

Globally, health disparities based on gender and ethnicity continue to impact access to care and health outcomes. Women and ethnic minorities often experience higher rates of chronic diseases, limited access to preventive care, and poor maternal health outcomes. These gaps are further exacerbated by socioeconomic barriers, leading to unequal healthcare access and quality. However, advancements in personalized medicine and artificial intelligence (AI) provide transformative opportunities to close these gaps. By harnessing the power of personalized medicine, sector convergence, and data-driven insights, we can disrupt traditional models and create scalable solutions that promote health equity and empower underserved populations with better, more personalized care and treatment options.

Co-action to F*@# Cancer

Cancer is a leading global cause of death, with current treatments often hindered by late detection and generalized approaches. Personalized medicine, which tailors treatment based on individual genetics and environmental factors, has the potential to revolutionize cancer care. By integrating data analytics and genomics, we can develop solutions that predict cancer risk, improve early diagnosis, and personalize treatments to enhance patient outcomes and reduce the burden of cancer on global health.

Smart, safe, and sustainable healthcare

The healthcare sector accounts for approximately 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If it were a country, it would rank as the fifth-largest emitter worldwide. Governments are striving for more efficient hospital operations, not only to cut costs but also to minimize environmental impacts and mitigate patient health risks. Hospital environments can negatively affect patients, exposing them to unfamiliar settings and increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The challenge is to reimagine hospital operations, making them smarter, safer, and more sustainable for both the environment and patient outcomes, without compromising high-quality, patient-centered care.

Forever vital

As the global population ages, managing chronic diseases becomes increasingly critical for maintaining quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. Conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders require continuous monitoring and personalized interventions. By adopting a personalized approach and leveraging personalized medicine, we can develop innovative tools to better manage chronic conditions and promote healthy aging, enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives.

Protecting and restoring marine & freshwater biodiversity

How might we leverage EMODnet to evolve a true trans-European nature network that protects our sea areas, to restore rivers, or to scale up nature-based solutions that improve the resilience of coastal communities? Participants will be challenged to use biology, seabed habitats, and human activities data, interacting with the EMODnet map viewer and data catalogue.

Making the blue economy carbon-neutral and circular

How might we leverage EMODnet to eliminate or sequester greenhouse gas emissions from maritime economic activities, develop zero-carbon and low-impact aquaculture, promote low-carbon, multi-purpose use of the marine and water space, or mobilise the ocean and inland waters’ potential for carbon-free energy? Participants will be challenged to use physics and human activities data, in combination with e.g., satellite data from Copernicus Marine Service and/or other data & research infrastructures (e.g., ICOS- Centre, Lifewatch, EMBRC), and any other data deemed relevant, interacting with EMODnet map viewer and data catalogue.

Empowering social innovation

How might we leverage EMODnet to inspire and support social innovation practices or participatory governance approaches that empower citizens to co-design and co-implement solutions to restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030? Participants will be challenged to leverage available resources (e.g., the EU Atlas of the Seas) to develop new applications that enhance users’ capabilities to respond to Ocean challenges, including promoting Ocean literacy and citizenship and/or making data more accessible to citizens (e.g., building a bot in Twitter that feeds off the Atlas of the Seas to provide user-requested updates on any specific resource published).

Eliminating pollution of our oceans, seas, and waters

How might we leverage EMODnet to reduce microplastics and plastic litter at sea or to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides, through innovative solutions or improved international governance? Participants will be challenged to use chemistry, physics, and human activities data, interacting with the EMODnet map viewer and data catalogue.

Contributing to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

How might we leverage EMODnet to advance a digital knowledge system that supports international collaboration towards better understanding, monitoring, forecasting, and protecting the Ocean? Participants will be challenged to merge data from EMODnet (including resources available for Global Stakeholders), Copernicus Marine Service, Copernicus Earth observation, and/or any other data service.

Wild card: Hack the ocean!

How might we leverage EMODnet data for the change that you would like to see in our relationship with the Ocean?

FinTech

Fintech startups developing new technology that seek to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services to businesses or consumers are eligible to apply.

HealthTech

The HealthTech challenge revolves around harnessing technology to revolutionize healthcare and improve patient outcomes. Participants developing innovative solutions that address pressing healthcare issues, from enhancing patient care and remote monitoring to streamlining medical record management, Telehealth Infrastructure, Security & Privacy, Patients’ experience, etc.

Sustainability Tech

Sustainability Tech is dedicated to addressing environmental and sustainability issues through technological innovation. Participants creating solutions that promote eco-friendly practices, reduce carbon footprints, and contribute to a more sustainable future in Renewable energy & energy security, social sustainability, protecting global biodiversity, etc.

AgriTech

The Agritech Sector focuses on leveraging technology to address pressing agricultural and food-related issues. Participants working on developing cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in the agricultural sector, that involves: Digitization of food systems, Autonomous agricultural machinery, Product Quality Control and others.

EduTech

Edutech is centered on reimagining education through technology-driven solutions. Participants working on creating innovative tools and platforms that enhance learning experiences, bridge educational gaps, and empower educators and learners through gamification, social learning, online testing, etc.

Cross-Border Settlements / Payments

Innovative solutions to make international settlements faster, cheaper, and more accessible than before in Africa, using Bitcoin & Lightning

Education and E-Learning

Innovative solutions to enhance learning experiences, democratize access to education, and reshape the future of online learning in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning

Social / Community Impact

Innovative solutions to drive positive social and community impact, promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning

Media and Entertainment

Innovative solutions to enhance content delivery, enable microtransactions, or build decentralized media platforms to revolutionize how we consume, create, and distribute content in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning

Business Administration Tools

Innovative solutions for efficient accounting, revolutionizing bookkeeping, CRM and payroll systems, or reimagining inventory management in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning

Microtransactions and Micropayments

Innovative solutions for handling micro digital payments and small-scale financial transactions efficiently and securely in Africa, using Bitcoin & Lightning 

Regulatory Frameworks

Innovative solutions to resolve critical regulatory issues, and streamline/modernize regulatory processes in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning

Governance and Anti-Corruption

Innovative solutions to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance (such as decentralized voting systems, transparent supply chain tracking, or anti-corruption monitoring tools) across various sectors in Africa, using Bitcoin & Lightning

Privacy Tech (KYC, Non-custodial Solutions)

Innovative solutions that protect user privacy, enhance financial security, and decentralize control over personal data in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning

Agriculture and Food Security

Innovative solutions to address agriculture and food security challenges, improve supply chains, traceability, and access to food resources in Africa using Bitcoin & Lightning

Peer-to-Peer Marketplaces

Innovative solutions to empower individuals and businesses, streamline transactions, and unlock new opportunities for economic growth in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning 

Healthcare and Telemedicine

Innovative solutions to improve healthcare accessibility, enhance remote medical consultations, and empower patients with secure, decentralized healthcare in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning 

Energy and Sustainability

Innovative solutions to optimize energy distribution, promote renewable energy adoption, or create bitcoin-based sustainability initiatives in Africa,  using Bitcoin & Lightning 

Mapping & Understanding Marine Ecosystems and Species

How might we use collaborative science to advance the knowledge of marine ecosystems and species?

Marine ecosystems and their diverse species play a vital role in our lives. They regulate the Earth’s climate and are a primary source of food for billions of people. They support numerous economic activities and provide livelihoods for coastal communities around the World. However, from plankton -the fabric of the Ocean-, to fisheries, our knowledge of species and ecosystems remains difficult to analyze with integrative approaches. With your help, we can hack available data to address important knowledge gaps.

Supporting Early Warning & Response to Accidents or Natural Events

How might we use collaborative science to advance our ability to predict risks from natural events, or to ensure a swift response to accidents at sea?

Global change is affecting the way that species feed, move, and inhabit the marine realm. Species migrations can have an impact on human livelihoods that rely on fisheries as a source of protein for human consumption. In addition, activities at sea carry risks to human life, and to wildlife. With your help, we can evolve early warning mechanisms to anticipate a more effective response to global change.

Tracking & Forecasting Ocean Health

How might we use environmental indicators to understand complex phenomena affecting marine ecosystems and detect changes in their status with sufficient time to respond?

Climate change is causing severe impacts on marine ecosystems. However, these changes are often difficult to anticipate, leading to delays in the implementation of actions that could mitigate risks and help us adapt to new conditions. With your help, we can track and anticipate changes in the health of marine ecosystems to anticipate a more effective response.

Wild Card: Double up with EDITO!

How might we leverage the European Digital Twin Ocean platform to address Ocean challenges?

EDITO is the public backbone infrastructure of the European Digital Twin Ocean. This wildcard invites you to address any Ocean challenge of your choice, harnessing the resources available in the EDITO platform in combination with resources offer

Do you copy?

Enable Space transportation missions around Earth and far beyond by proposing new key technology brick.
Access to and returning from space require complex paths for which European space transportation solutions need continuous tracking and data relay. Today European launch services rely mainly on ground stations for tracking, communication and data relay. This induces potential lacks of visibility, lacks of availability and loss of competitiveness. Using European Satcom for covering space transportation services to Earth orbits but also to Moon and deep space will increase the availability and reliability of the service, will offer more tickets opportunities and accessible data during the transportation

The Power of Earth Observation & AI.

Leveraging the power of Earth Observation and open sources data via Artificial Intelligence.
With the smartest constellation combining radar and optical satellites, Airbus Defence and Space provides what you need - when you need it: wide coverage, fine detail, intensive monitoring, reliable and successful new collections, fresh and extensive archives, premium reactivity. To create new innovative services from Satellite imagery, Airbus Defence and Space is providing you access to its open and free UP42 Platform .

Invent a recyclable satellite

Nowadays satellites are not designed to be recycled, and there is no enabling infrastructure. As a result a progressive saturation on the most common orbits is observed (most noticeably for the polar orbits, between 700 and 1000 km), being a source of collisions generating space debris that may start chain reaction collisions. Yet, on Earth numerous circular economies are developing, from chemical batteries, to materials (plastic, steel, …) …
Imagine a paradigm in which space objects would be recycled (partially or entirely). What would they look like ? Which infrastructures would be required in space and on Earth ? How could this be financed ? Depending on your expertise area, you may explore the technological distinct features or the economical aspects ... or even both !

Invent public services for space
"The very vast majority of satellites has onboard its own propellant to feed its thrusters for orbital manoeuvers and orbit corrections, its own onboard equipments to generate and store electrical power (solar panels, batteries), to process and store data from its sensors (processors and memory banks), … All this leads to a non-optimal situation where each space object (like an explorer in the desert) has onboard all the required resources for its entire lifespan that, depending on the specifications, may reach 20 years.

Invent a paradigm where space objects could benefit from orbital services (for example like fuel stations, wireless electrical distributions, digital cloud storage, …) What types of services would be needed and why ? What infrastructures would be required to offer such services ? How serviceable space objects would look like ?
Envision what would be all the created chain values. You may explore the technological distinct features or the economical aspects ... or even both !

How to survive the next 3 winters in the current energy situation in private houses, apartment buildings, and small industries?

How to survive the next 3 winters in the current energy situation.

- Private house
    - main fuse size 3 x 32 A
    - air-water heating with a heat pump
    - added hourly consumption data

Problems: How to optimally keep the room warm and the electricity in the room? How to ensure energy security in a private house in a situation where the network does not guarantee it?

Develop a leakage detection sensor that would use leak detection wire incorporated into pipes to detect pipe leakages

The task is to develop a leakage detection sensor which would use leak detection wire incorporated to pipes to detect, and if possible, determine the location of the pipe leakages 

Smart Cities

Municipalities currently rely heavily on non-renewable energy sources to power their infrastructure, resulting in increased CO2 emissions and contributing to climate change. Despite the presence of locally produced renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro energy, they are not effectively harnessed and utilized, leading to missed opportunities for sustainability. The challenge is to develop an innovative solution that can manage and distribute these renewable energy sources effectively to reduce dependence on non-renewable sources and lower CO2 emissions in municipalities. This can lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to energy management and distribution in municipalities. 

Predictive Maintenance

Industries face significant losses due to unscheduled downtimes of their equipment. Predictive maintenance techniques have been developed to mitigate such losses by predicting equipment failures before they occur. However, these techniques require accurate data to provide reliable predictions. The data is typically generated by sensors and other monitoring systems installed on the equipment. The data collected is usually stored in a centralized database, which raises concerns about data security and privacy. Moreover, different stakeholders such as equipment manufacturers, equipment operators, maintenance service providers, and insurers need to access this data. Ensuring data integrity, security, and privacy, while enabling multiple stakeholders to access it, is a significant challenge. 

Sustainability reporting in the supply chain

Supply chains are complex networks of companies and organizations that work together to create and deliver goods and services. Ensuring that these supply chains operate sustainably is becoming increasingly important for businesses, consumers, and regulators. However, reporting on sustainability in supply chains is challenging due to a lack of transparency, accuracy, standardization, and credibility. This can lead to negative impacts on the environment, society, and the economy, as well as reputational and compliance risks for companies. 

Blockchain technology has the potential to address these challenges by providing a secure, transparent, and immutable platform for collecting, verifying, and sharing sustainability data across the entire supply chain. By using blockchain, stakeholders in the supply chain can share data in real-time, without the need for intermediaries, while ensuring the privacy and protection of sensitive information.  

NFTs in further education

The current education landscape lacks a secure and tamper-proof system for verifying and recognizing learners' achievements. Traditional academic certificates and credentials are often difficult to verify and are not always recognized by employers. Furthermore, the current system does not enable learners to showcase their practical skills and experience, which are increasingly sought after by employers. Therefore, there is a need for a secure and decentralized system that can recognize learners' achievements and provide verifiable credentials that are recognized by educational institutions and employers alike. 

DeFi

Despite the rapid growth of decentralized finance, most DeFi products remain denominated in volatile or foreign currencies, limiting their accessibility and relevance for users in Mexico and across Latin America. This disconnect creates barriers to adoption, financial planning, and real-world utility, particularly for individuals and organizations that operate primarily in local currencies. MXNB introduces the stability of the Mexican peso into the open DeFi ecosystem, unlocking new possibilities for transparent, accessible, and locally meaningful financial infrastructure. By building peso-denominated DeFi primitives and platforms, ranging from lending and savings to insurance, payroll, and real-world asset protocols, builders can bridge traditional finance and decentralized systems, enabling more inclusive, trustworthy, and practical financial services designed for everyday use, one peso at a time.