This hackathon focuses on creating digital solutions that help communities manage urban environments more effectively — from mobility and safety to data, ecology, and spatial planning.
Registration is open until 01.04.26
About this Hackathon
Communities are operating under challenging conditions: damaged or overloaded infrastructure, limited resources, and the need to make data-informed decisions while engaging residents in urban development processes.
The “Urban Development & Smart Cities” Hackathon brings together IT professionals, urbanists, analysts, and community representatives to co-create solutions that:
improve understanding of urban environments through data
support planning and spatial development
enhance mobility, safety, and sustainability
make urban processes more transparent and accessible to residents
Challenges teams will work on
During the hackathon, teams will work on challenges based on priority community needs, including:
digital tools for analyzing and visualizing urban data
solutions supporting urban mobility and safety
services for spatial planning and infrastructure development
tools for environmental monitoring and sustainable development
solutions engaging residents in urban development processes
Who should join
IT
IT developers, engineers, and analysts
UX/UI
UX/UI and service designers
startups
Smart city, urban tech, and govtech startups
activists
Urbanists, researchers, and civic activists
Communities
Community representatives working with urban development and infrastructure
Participation is free of charge, subject to selection
Mentors
Teams will be supported by mentors with expertise in digital education, online platforms, communications, cultural projects, and community development. (The list of mentors will be updated)
Participation Format
3
days
Intensiveteamwork
Pitching solutions to the jury
Mentoring
Pitch preparation
Expert sessions
Prototype development
What Is Provided
to Participants
Workspace
Technical equipment
Meals
Accommodation for participants from other cities
Ongoing mentor support
Prize Fund
Join, win, and bring your project to
life — make an impact on community development!
At each of the three hackathons, the jury will select two winning teams to receive financial support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for further development of their solutions (6 winners in total)
10 000 EUR
5 000 EUR
Challenge from communities
Kyiv region:
Bila Tserkva
AI Assistant for Bila Tserkva
The Bila Tserkva community already offers digital municipal services, yet they remain difficult for residents to navigate due to fragmented information and bureaucratic language.

The community’s challenge is to design a concept and prototype of an AI assistant as a single entry point to municipal services.

The expected outcome is an AI-based solution that explains services in simple language, guides users through available options, and helps them quickly find answers. The solution should improve accessibility of digital services and strengthen city–resident interaction.
Chernihiv region:
Pryluky
Digital Solutions for Waste Management
The Pryluky community lacks a unified digital tool for transparent waste management and resident engagement.

The community’s challenge is to design a concept and prototype of a digital solution that centralizes waste-related information and improves interaction with residents.

The expected outcome is an online platform with sorting rules, collection schedules, drop-off points, and feedback tools, supporting efficient and sustainable waste management.
Sumy region:
Okhtyrka
Digital Solutions for Community Energy Resilience
The Okhtyrka community faces increased risks to its energy infrastructure and needs more transparent and systematic energy resource management.

The community’s challenge is to design a concept and prototype of a digital solution that supports monitoring, planning, and strengthening community energy resilience.

The expected outcome is an online platform that consolidates energy data, supports decision-making, and improves preparedness for crisis situations.
Chernigiv region:
Chernigiv
Digital Solutions for Urban Transport
The Chernihiv community needs more efficient, data-driven management of urban transport.

The community’s challenge is to design a concept and prototype of a digital solution for analyzing transport data and supporting decision-making.

The expected outcome is an analytical online platform that helps identify peak loads and optimize routes and schedules.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN until 01 april 2026