Applications are now OPEN!
Apply by October 3rd, 2025 to turn your idea into impact!
Terms & Conditions | Application Form
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.
Winning ideas in each challenge will receive €2000!
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 among the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), the North Aegean Regional Development Fund and GR DigiGOV-innoHUB.
Now Hack4impact takes the next step: from Idea to Prototype to Business Creation!
Objectives:
Hack4impact anticipates to generate operational prototypes & business ideas, but also to:
- Encourage collaboration between universities, civil society, and public authorities in prototype development & start-up creation.
- Support university-led reforms/tools in public services and regional development
- Promote digital innovation in regional governance
- Provide a launchpad for entrepreneurial business ideas and social entrepreneurship, responding to SDGs implementation & creative interregional knowledge communities.
Who Can Participate?
- Participants from the ERUA community (students, researchers and staff from the 8 ERUA universities – interdisciplinary, cross-regional teams are encouraged)
- Individuals & technology start ups
- Teams and individuals from the #ERUAiDeaThon2024 and the Social Entrepreneurship Course (teams with ready-made solutions/ team creation will be supported after initial registration).
- Social Entrepreneurs and innovators from all ERUA regions
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 implementing University Excellence
For detailed information on the Hack4Impact Challenges, please read the Terms & Conditions document.
Timeline
Phase 1 – Pre-Hackathon Prep (Sept 2025)
- Sept 2025: Open call for participation
- Sept 2025: Stakeholder and mentor recruitment
- Sept 2025: Digital collaboration platform setup
- Sept 15, 2025 Info event (DigiTalk)
- Oct 3, 2025: Hackathon Idea Submission deadline ()
- Sept 30, 2025: Announcement of evaluation results
- Oct 7, 2025: Training & team matching (DigiTalk)
Phase 2 – Hackathon Execution (October 2025)
- Sept 30 – Oct 20: Final Prototype development & mentorship
- Oct 22-23: Final Hackathon Presentations (2 days)
- Oct 30 : Awards announcement
Phase 3 – Follow-up (from November 2025)
- Showcase winning projects – Connection with ERUA SUMMIT25
- Connect top teams to EU pilot programs, incubators, or regional support opportunities
- Publish outcomes
- Connection with 2027 ERUA Hackathon
Don’t miss your chance to shape the future! Join innovators across Europe at ERUA Hack4impact 2025 to turn ideas into impact!
Apply Now!
For any additional information you may need, please contact us at erua-eui@aegean.gr.
