Shaping the Future hackathon
Project Duration
13 November 2019
Culture and creativity are driving sustainable solutions.
Keywords
Hackathon, sustainability, creative industries, circular economy, livable cities, diversity
Summary
How can creativity and grassroots ideas shape a greener, more inclusive future? The Shaping the Future hackathon brought together over 60 participants from 10 countries for a one-day sprint of innovation in St. Petersburg, turning ideas into prototypes that respond to sustainability challenges through creativity.
What made this hackathon unique was its focus on the creative and cultural industries as drivers for sustainable development, while mentorship and hands-on collaboration empowered participants to develop practical solutions across three sectors: livable cities, circular economy, and diversity.
Participants pitched ideas including an AI-powered app for sorting waste, a platform for children to celebrate each other’s cultures, and an innovative, app-connected bike lock for safer cities. The event showcased how hackathons can accelerate learning, foster teamwork, and build connections across borders, while generating concrete ideas that support a more efficient, inclusive, and environmentally conscious world.
As mentor Mike Bradshaw noted, hackathons help people learn by doing, discover the power of teamwork, and realise how much can be achieved in a single day when creativity is combined with purpose.
The hackathon was organised jointly by the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC) and the Russian Ministry of Culture, highlighting the role of culture and creativity in shaping the future we want to live in and leave for the next generations.
Objectives
- Develop innovative, creative solutions for sustainability challenges
- Empower grassroots ideas within the cultural and creative industries
- Foster international collaboration among participants across Northern Europe and Russia
- Explore practical projects supporting livable cities, the circular economy, and diversity
Key Activities
- One-day hackathon in St. Petersburg with 60+ participants from 10 countries
- Mentorship and workshops with experienced coaches on pitching, idea development, and sustainability
- Open workshops for wider audiences on interprofessional design and creative processes
- Pitch sessions to present and refine project ideas
- Collaborative idea-building across three key sectors:
- Livable Cities: Urban safety, inclusivity, and community solutions
- Circular Economy: Waste reduction and resource efficiency
- Diversity: Cross-cultural dialogue and access to justice
Results
- Prototypes developed, including:
- Safe Hands for Your Bicycle: an app-connected compact bike lock
- Sorted: an AI-powered app for waste sorting and recycling
- Tribe Rights: a platform enabling communities to co-fund legal services for shared challenges
- Strengthened regional networks in the creative and cultural industries
- Enhanced participant skills in teamwork, pitching, and creative problem-solving
Read the hackathon’s recap here