How to hack the system.
#EUvsVirus hackathon starts tomorrow to develop innovative solutions to fight the outbreak.
As of tomorrow and throughout the weekend, the European Commission will host the pan-European #EUvsVirus Hackathon, under the patronage of Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. The hackathon, led by the European Innovation Council and in close collaboration with the EU Member States, will connect civil society, innovators, partners and investors across Europe to develop innovative solutions aimed at fighting the coronavirus outbreak.
Commissioner Gabriel said: “The #EUvsVirus Hackathon is a great example of the European cooperative spirit I so admire. When times get tough we come together, work together and we will beat this virus together for everyone. I thank all those that have given their free time, boundless energy and expertise to make this a reality. Tomorrow is just the beginning — the solutions will be the true reward.”
EU-Wide effort
Over 12,000 participants have registered to the hackathon, which is structured around several categories of problems that need short-term solutions in relation to coronavirus health and life, business continuity, remote working and education, social and political cohesion, digital finance and other challenges. All 27 EU Member States are taking part as well as other countries. The winning solutions will be invited to join a European Innovation Council COVID Platform, which will be launched here on 27 April, to facilitate connections with end users, such as hospitals, and provide access to investors, foundations and other funding opportunities from across the EU. Participants can still register on the EUvsVirus Hackathon website. The event will be streamed live on this webpage. The Commission is committing hundreds of millions of Euros in research and innovation actions to develop vaccines, new treatments, diagnostic tests and medical systems to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Fab City involvement
Fab City Foundation management board members will take part as Mentors for the hackathon, providing input, guidance and feedback for participants in the fields of Design, Social Cohesion and Business Continuity: Value chains & logistics. Roberto Vdovic, community champion of Fab City Zagreb and president of Fab Lab Zagreb will also take part as mentor. Fab Labs from across Europe will take part in teams to #HackforEurope.
Keep up with the event: https://euvsvirus.org/
More information is available here. (For more information about the hackathon, you can contact their team: Johannes Bahrke — Tel: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou — Tel.: +32 2 29 83583)
