What is a Hackathon?
A hackathon, formed by combining two seemingly unrelated words "hack" and "marathon", has been combined to express one of the most popular and powerful problem-solving techniques of recent years. A hackathon refers to an intensive work process over a short period (usually a few days) to find creative solutions to a specific problem. In a hackathon, participants are expected to work on a problem within a limited time and produce surprising projects and brilliant ideas.
What is a Hackathon Competition? Why is it Held?
A hackathon competition brings together a group of people with different ideas, skills, and backgrounds to work together on a project over a weekend or full day.
The main purpose of hackathon competitions is to develop a working prototype of a product or service and create innovative solutions by working in groups within a limited time.
Creativity and innovation reach their peak in these events. Hackathons are a way to bring tons of ideas in your mind to life to solve a specific problem.
What Happens in Hackathon Events?
Although the purpose and scope of hackathon events vary, participants are usually presented with specific problems or challenges.
- Introduction: An introduction is made regarding the event theme and objectives. The introduction and contribution of organizing and supporting institutions are also clearly conveyed to participants at this stage.
- Explanation of Rules: All behavioral rules and regulations of the competition are explained in detail so that participants have no questions in their minds.
- Presentation of Themes: A detailed and informative presentation is made about the themes that are the subject of the hackathon.
- Collaboration on Project: Participants divided into teams begin to work intensively in collaboration for the determined period. They continue to work until the final stage by producing solutions within the determined project framework.
- Project Presentation: At the end of the competition, the final product created by the team, whether finished or unfinished, is presented to the jury members.
- Evaluation and Award Distribution: The jury panel determined by the organizing institution usually awards prizes to the winning team or projects.
Objectives:
- Dissemination of outputs from the previously conducted "Resilient Cities and Sustainable Future" project
- To increase awareness and project development skills of young people from Sakarya and surrounding provinces on sustainable urbanism topics
- To share knowledge, experience, and best practices gained from Erasmus+ projects
Rules:
- Groups are automatically determined randomly. No changes are made between determined groups.
- Each group selects one group leader to represent their group.
- Each group works by selecting one of the two main themes determined and determining a sub-theme.
- At the end of the event, each group presents the idea and project they created to the jury within 7 minutes. No additional time is given for the presentation.
- During the event period, each group shares posts on their social media accounts with the hashtags #Cities4Youth #Cities4YouthHackathon #ResilientCitiesHackathonu.
- Each participant fills out the daily evaluation form.
Young Solutions for Urban Resilience and Sustainable Future
This Hackathon, organized with the main theme "Young Solutions for Urban Resilience and Sustainable Future", brings together young people aged 18-30 from Sakarya and surrounding provinces (Kocaeli, Düzce, Yalova, Bolu).
In our event, which will take place at Sezginler MTAL Application Hotel on December 22-25, 2025, we aim to share the knowledge and experience gained within the scope of Erasmus+ projects and increase young people's awareness and project development skills on resilient sustainable urbanism topics. If you also want to contribute to the future of cities, join us!
Main Themes:
- Disaster Resilience
- Resilient and Sustainable Cities
Who Can Participate?
Anyone aged 18-30 who is interested in the future of cities, environment, sustainability, and innovative solutions!
(No academic prerequisite - participants from different fields are encouraged.)
Event Date:
December 22-25, 2025
Accommodation: Check-in December 22 - Check-out December 25
Participation is free. Accommodation and meals will be covered by the organization.
Prizes:
- First Place: Right to Participate in International Dissemination Event
- Second Place: Surprise Gifts
- All participants will receive a Youthpass certificate, backpack, and thermos as gifts.
Program Schedule:
December 22 – Arrival and Introduction Day
- 14:00 | Participants check-in to the hotel
- 16:00–18:00 | Opening Speech and Introduction Event
- 19:00 | Dinner
December 23 – Hackathon Start
- 09:30–10:30 | Workshop 1: What is a Hackathon and How Does it Work? Determination of Competition Groups and Working Themes
- 11:00–12:30 | Workshop 2: Urban Resilience & Sustainability Challenges in Sakarya and Surrounding Cities (Presentations by mentors on working sub-themes)
- 13:30–18:00 | Hackathon Start
- "Problem statement" is determined.
- Mentors provide guidance.
- 19:00 | Dinner
December 24 – Hackathon Work and Presentation Day
- 09:30–12:30 | Teams develop their solution proposals
- Poster, prototype, or presentation is prepared
- Mentor support
- 14:00–17:00 | Presentations & Jury Evaluation
- Each group makes a 7-minute presentation
- 17:30–18:00 | Award Ceremony (most innovative idea, most applicable project, etc.)
- 19:00 | Dinner
December 25 – Closing & Departure
- 10:00–11:30 | Evaluation and Certificate Ceremony
- 12:00 | Check-out and departure
Dissemination & Visibility
After the event:
- Prepared ideas and projects will be shared digitally as a small e-booklet / project catalog.
- Participants' event experiences will be shared on the project's social media accounts with the hashtag #Cities4YouthHackathon.
- First-place projects will be transformed into an Erasmus+ youth project.
- News/press release will be published on the Sakarya Governorship website and project website.