Mentors Needed for ERUA #Hack4impact
Join the ERUA Expert Pool – Empower Regional Impact!
Apply now!
The University of the Aegean, in the framework of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), together with the North Aegean Regional Development Fund and the European Digital Innovation Hub for Digital Governance (GR digiGOV-innoHUB), co-organizes the ERUA Digital Hackathon 2025: Hack4Impact (Oct 2025), aiming to drive digital innovation, public sector reform, and entrepreneurship aligned with the UN SDGs.
We are inviting experienced professionals and experts on ERUA key areas to join us as mentors and guide participants throughout this exciting hackathon!
What is ERUA Hack4impact
Hack4impact is a Digital Hackathon that connects entrepreneurship (including social) with digital public sector reforms, skills and alignment with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). This approach showcases a unique, first-of-its-kind collaboration between the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), the North Aegean Regional Development Fund, and GR DigiGOV-innoHUB.
Hack4impact Goals
- Encourage collaboration between universities, civil society, and public authorities in prototype development and start-up creation.
- Support university-led reforms and tools in public services for regional skills’ development.
- Promote digital innovation in regional governance.
- Provide a launchpad for entrepreneurial business ideas and social entrepreneurship that respond to SDG implementation and foster creative interregional knowledge communities.
Key Info
- Hackathon Dates: October 22 – 23, 2025
- Mentorship Period: September 30 – October 20, 2025
- Format: Mentoring will be online (Fully digital)
Why Mentors’ Expertise Matters
We welcome experienced professionals, academics, and innovation-driven stakeholders to join our Pool of Mentors offering a unique opportunity to support transregional, multidisciplinary teams working on three core Hack4impact challenges:
Challenge 1: Building tomorrow’s talent economy based on regional skills gaps
Challenge 2: Better Governance of the Public Sector through Inclusive Digital Reforms
Challenge 3: Inclusive and Sustainable Development through University Excellence
Please read the Terms & Conditions of the #Hack4impact for more detailed information.
We are looking for mentors with expertise in one or more of ERUA’s key focus areas:
- Environmental Transition
- Democracy & Human Rights, Inclusion & Gender Equality
- Interculturality & Multilingualism
- Migration
- Arts & Edges
combined with the thematic challenges of the upcoming #Hack4impact, such as Regional Skills Development, Social Entrepreneurship, Digital Reforms in Public Sector and Regional SDGs Alignment.
Mentors’ Profile
- Experience in one or more of the key thematic areas & challenges
- Prior experience in mentoring
- Passion for innovation in higher education & the public sector
- Commitment to fostering inclusive and diverse learning environments
Mentors’ Responsibilities
- Guide selected applicants in refining their business or prototype ideas
- Help participants transform concepts into feasible, impactful prototypes
- Support applicants in aligning projects with relevant SDGs and regional needs
- Engage in 1-3 short mentoring sessions with your assigned applicant(s)
Mentoring Format
You can choose how to collaborate with your assigned team(s), depending on what works best for you:
- Asynchronously (by providing feedback on materials)
- Or through live online sessions (Zoom, Slack, etc.).
Mentor’s Benefits
Selected mentors will become part of our expert pool and can benefit from various ERUA activities such as:
- ERUA workshops, seminars, and follow-up events
- ERUA Social Entrepreneurship activities
- Ideathons & Hackathons, Biennales, DigiTalks & Science Cafés
- Student and staff mobility programs
- Research collaborations
- Curriculum development
Applications
You can apply to become an ERUA Mentor by filling out the online application form:
Application Form for ERUA Mentors
#Hack4impact Mentors Deadline: September 24, 2025. Mentors who apply by this date will be eligible to participate. However, the call will be OPEN for ongoing submission of applications after this date. Note that mentors previously registered in ERUA’s database through the #ERUAideathon2024 will automatically remain eligible for participation, though they may choose to withdraw their participation if desired.
You can explore our continuously updated and expanding list of mentors on the dedicated “Pool of Mentors” website: https://ecos.erua-eui.eu/info/erua-mentors/
For any additional information you may need, please contact us at erua-eui@aegean.gr.
