CASSINI hackathon leverages space to digitise green spaces
The CASSINI Space Entrepreneurship Initiative is a European Commission entrepreneurial support mechanism that cuts across all components of EU Space Programme. It offers actions targeted at the full entrepreneurial lifecycle - from idea generation to market entry and growth – and covers both the upstream and downstream sectors. As part of the initiative, the first CASSINI Hackathon, on 18-20 June 2021, will challenge participants to leverage space synergies to digitise Europe’s green spaces. To register, click here.
European space technologies have many capabilities that allow us to access, understand and protect nature. From monitoring vegetation changes and developing ‘green’ indicators and optimal access routes to forecasting air pollutants, UV indexes and park congestion, the possibilities are truly limitless.
The upcoming hackathon is the first in a series of six CASSINI hackathons initiated by the European Union and its space programme to tackle global challenges using European space technologies. The first hackathon in the series will task participants with leveraging geospatial information from Copernicus Earth observation data and its services, together with positioning technologies from Galileo and EGNOS, to digitise Europe’s green spaces.
Read this: Space synergies serving the environment
Each of the six hackathons will take place in ten different locations simultaneously. Winners will be awarded at both local and EU level, with the three overall winners gaining access to a six-month mentoring programme that includes 100 hours of expert advisory. The coaching programme will support the winning teams in building sustainable and successful businesses.
What’s in store?
Participants from across Europe will choose from ten different locations hosted by an affiliated organisation in Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Switzerland. Each location features its own unique set of experts, prizes, and technology and application focuses. Once they select a location, it’s time for registration, team formation and ideation! Teams should choose one of three challenges under the theme of digitising green spaces:
- Discover your city: design products, devices, services or environments that enable urban citizens to understand better their city and its green spaces. Concepts should support urban planning and real estate development and valuations, index green factors contributing to residential life, and promote ecological sustainability.
- Staying fit and healthy: develop products, devices or services that enable city dwellers to stay active and keep their minds and bodies healthy. Concepts should map green spaces for outdoor activity, forecast air pollutants such as pollen, nitrogen oxide, or particulate matter, and understand and monitor UV exposure.
- Protecting our rural areas: create products, devices, services or environments that promote the digitalisation of rural green spaces. Concepts should promote wildlife and ecosystem conservation, ensure healthy and resilient forests, and support the development of new green spaces and underdeveloped areas.
Register now
Determined innovators with a passion for developing sustainable solutions can register here today. Not a rocket scientist? No problem! This is every innovator’s chance to engage in the sector, even if it’s for the first time. The application process is easy: first, register, second choose a challenge, and finally log- in on 18-20 June to work on your project and leverage EU Space technologies to digitise our green spaces. Technical and business experts from EUSPA will be available all weekend to support and guide the teams in all 10 locations. On 20 June, Dafni Dimoudi, EUSPA’s Market Development Innovation Officer, will also present how EU Space technology can be applied to digitise our green spaces.
And this: Time to roll up your sleeves: Galileo Masters 2021 now open!
Participating teams are not the only ones who can take advantage of the CASSINI Hackathons & Mentoring. Both organisers and mentors are needed! Interested individuals, organisations, companies and institutions are invited to apply to support the next generation of space-based entrepreneurs. Click on the links for information on how to get involved for mentors and organisers.
Become part of this exciting European initiative to promote EU Space technology and its many applications. Hack with a purpose and leverage EU Space data, services and signals to access, understand and protect our natural spaces. For more information, visit hackathons.cassini.eu.
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