Hackathon: Be Part of Shaping the City of the Future

Many city centres are currently facing major challenges – vacant premises, declining retail, and a growing sense of insecurity. At the same time, there is a huge opportunity to rethink and reimagine. Through the so-called triple transition – the green, digital, and social transformation – we can work together to create a city that is vibrant, safe, and sustainable. And we need you!

On 23–25 September 2026, we invite lower secondary school students, upper secondary school students, and students at Kristianstad University, as well as participants from other universities in the European University Alliance COLOURS, to join a hackathon where your ideas take centre stage. Over three inspiring days, you will collaborate with other young people to develop concrete solutions for the city of the future.

This is not just about ideas – it’s about real change. The proposals developed during the hackathon could become the starting point for initiatives that are actually implemented and make a real difference. Engaging the younger generation is essential for a vibrant democratic society. You are the ones who will live, work, and thrive in the city in the future – that’s why you should also help shape it.

What’s it about?

Learn one of the world’s most widely used methods for tackling tough challenges, expand your network and contribute to positive development. No prior knowledge is required, and you do not need to be enrolled at a university – your perspective and willingness to contribute are all that matters.

What you gain

• Practical skills in problem-solving and innovation.
• New contacts across academia, industry and the public sector.
• Training in developing, refining and presenting ideas.
• A chance to challenge yourself and grow.
• An official EU accreditation to strengthen your CV.
• A panel of judges will select the winning team, which will receive *SEK 25,000.

What you can expect

• Collaborate with other creative and motivated young people
• Work on real challenges related to urban development
• Receive support from experts and mentors
• Present your ideas to decision-makers
• Together, we can inspire hope for the future and build a city where people want to be – now and in the years to come.

Practical details

• September 23–25, 2026, 10:00–16:00 each day.
• Venue: Spaces, Östra Boulevarden 34, Kristianstad, Sweden
• You will be able to participate remotely. However, you will be asked to explore and develop solutions for challenges in your own city and teamed up with other participants who are also joining in a hybrid format.
• Lunch and refreshments provided daily.
• The workshop is conducted mainly in English, but participants are free to use any language within their teams.
• Open to everyone – places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If you wish to participate from another partner university outside Sweden, you must first contact your COLOURS Implementation Office and Co-Space Officer. Any travel arrangements and approval for attending the event will be managed through them.
  
  Are you ready to make your voice heard?

Registration

TBA

The Jury and criteria

 A jury composed of experts from the relevant fields will provide feedback on the ideas presented. The jury will also rank the three strongest ideas based on the following evaluation criteria:

Impact
Feasibility and potential societal value.

Relevance
Significance of the societal or regional need and alignment with the CoLab theme.

Sustainability
Contribution to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Soon you can meet the expert panel here ...

Contact

If you have any questions you are welcome to contact colours@hkr.se

*Important information on the Hackathon’s prize criteria

A prize can only be awarded to the winning team if the idea achieves a sufficiently high score. The prize can only be awarded to students, researchers, and staff within the COLOURS Alliance at Kristianstad University, upon presentation of proof of study or employment at. The prize may only be awarded if the number of participants exceeds 20 persons. The hackaton is organized within the framework of the European University COLOURS, of which Kristianstad University is a member along with eight other institutions across Europe.