Italia-Croatia

From 14 to 16 July 2026, the University of Foggia will host the ECOFOODCYCLE Cross-Border Hackathon, an international event bringing together students, young innovators, project partners and stakeholders to develop creative solutions for reducing food waste and promoting sustainable food systems.

Organised as part of Activity 3.3 of the ECOFOODCYCLE project, the three-day hackathon will provide participants with a collaborative environment where they can exchange ideas, tackle real-world challenges and transform innovative concepts into practical proposals with a positive environmental and social impact.

The programme will begin with inspirational talks, networking activities and team formation, followed by the official launch of the hackathon challenges. Participants will work in multidisciplinary and cross-border teams, supported by project experts and stakeholders, to refine their ideas and prepare their final pitches.

On the second day, teams will present their proposals to an international jury, which will evaluate the projects based on their innovation, feasibility and potential contribution to reducing food waste. The event will conclude with an award ceremony celebrating the most promising ideas.

The final day will include study visits to businesses in the Foggia area operating in the agri-food, retail and food waste sectors. These visits will offer participants the opportunity to connect with local best practices, gain practical insights and strengthen collaboration between academia, businesses and institutions.

The Cross-Border Hackathon represents an important milestone for the ECOFOODCYCLE project, fostering cooperation, creativity and knowledge exchange while empowering the next generation of innovators to contribute to a more sustainable and circular food system.