Empowering Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes in the Capacity2Transform Project
This article delves into the concept of hackathons and highlights their significance within the Capacity2Transform project, which aims to empower participants with knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for driving sustainable change.
Understanding the hackathon concept
To explain benefits from using hackathon as a pilot activity, it is important to draft firstly, what does this concept even mean. Hackathon is a time-bound event where participants from diverse backgrounds come together to solve specific challenges. BizGarden gathered together students from six different universities interested into tourism sector. Unlike traditional conferences or workshops, hackathons are highly interactive, emphasizing hands-on problem-solving and rapid prototyping. Participants typically work in smaller teams, leveraging their collective expertise to develop innovative solutions within a constrained timeframe.
Hackathon is very suitable activity for Capacity2Transform project since it focuses on enhancing capacities in digitalization, sustainability, and innovation. Hackathons align perfectly with this mission, offering several benefits. It fosters an environment where knowledge sharing thrives, allowing participants to exchange ideas and insights across disciplines. By engaging in hands-on problem-solving, individuals enhance their practical skills, particularly in digital technology, project management, and creative thinking. Moreover, hackathons inspire a proactive and innovative mindset, encouraging participants to embrace new perspectives and challenge conventional approaches. The collaborative nature of these events results in actionable outcomes, as participants develop and refine their ideas, ultimately contributing to sustainable and impactful solutions in the tourism sector.
Perfect tool for creating DGC ideas
The recent hackathon in Brno, organized by BizGarden, brought together students passionate about tourism and sustainability. Over the course of the event, participants developed five DGC (digital, green, and creative) ideas that hold significant potential for transforming the tourism sector. Ideas were generated on identifying environmental issues such as excessive consumerism and overuse of resources, while also considering the needs of tourists. It is necessary to identify at the beginning the need or the problem and then it is recommended that participants verify these ideas in the field among people.
Students in small teams (4-5 people) generated five different ideas:
- SUNstainable: A wireless solar station made of bamboo and recycled plastic. It includes a bench with solar panels for charging devices, QR codes for navigation, and Wifi for data collection and promoting sustainable products. Placed in city centres, airports, malls, its goal is to enhance public amenities with renewable energy. Sustainable materials are sourced from Europe, addressing tourists’ need for navigation and promoting sustainability.
- Journey Joy: A mobile app for promoting tourist sites with interactive maps, audio guides, and podcasts. It targets kids and adults, offering customized maps with games, fairy tales, and AI avatar guides for children. It aims to provide a user-friendly, responsible tourism guide, reduce paper use, and integrate AI into sustainable tourism.
- EcoStay Kit: A box with eco-friendly, reusable travel products made of sustainable materials. It simplifies sustainable travel by reducing environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly habits, aiming to minimize waste during stays and vacations.
- In Need: A platform for tourists to rent reusable items from locals, reducing consumption and waste. It supports locals by allowing them to rent out their belongings for a fee, addressing the issue of single-use items among travellers.
- Sustainable Beverage Dispensers: Glass dispensers, healthier and safer than plastic, outsourced from manufacturers. The goal is to shift the beverage industry towards sustainability, raising awareness about plastic’s environmental and health impacts.
How to organize the hackathon
According to the experience from organizing several start-ups weekends and hackathons, BizGarden identified and follow the structure consider these steps:
Pitching Ideas: Start with an open session where anyone can pitch their ideas. This encourages creativity and ensures a diverse range of concepts.
Team Forming: Participants vote or negotiate to form teams around the most promising ideas. This collaborative process helps in building strong, committed teams. Best is, if teams consist up to six people.
Team Work: Provide a facility with 24/7 access to ensure teams can work at their own pace. This flexibility fosters a productive and focused environment.
Optional Education: Offer optional educational sessions to help participants enhance their knowledge in relevant areas. This could include workshops on digital tools, sustainable practices, or creative techniques.
Individual Mentoring: Engage stakeholders as mentors to provide guidance and support. Personalized mentoring can help teams refine their ideas and overcome challenges.
Final Pitching: Conclude with a final pitching session where teams present their solutions. An evaluation panel assesses the ideas, followed by an award ceremony to recognize outstanding contributions.
Hackathons are a strategic tool for the Capacity2Transform project, promoting knowledge sharing, skill development, and attitude shaping. By fostering a collaborative and innovative environment, these events empower participants to drive sustainable change and contribute to the advancement of the tourism industry.
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