Join the Hackathon: Inclusive Tourism for Everyone
08/10/2025
📣 Announcing SITE Hackathon: “Inclusive Tourism for Everyone”
With the support of the SITE project (Shaping Inclusive Tourist Experiences), funded by the Interreg Italy–Croatia 2021–2027 programme, the University of Trieste invites you to join the Hackathon: “Inclusive Tourism for Everyone”. A creative challenge to design new ideas and solutions for a more accessible and welcoming tourism experience for all!
Over the course of two days, multidisciplinary teams will work together to co-create digital and non-digital solutions to real-world problems relating to the accessibility of the SITE pilot sites.
These solutions could include apps, chatbots, websites, interactive totems, event formats and more, and will embed Universal Design principles into every step of the tourism journey.
By involving end-users with special needs (elderly groups, people with disabilities, new parents, etc.) directly in the design process, we aim to build experiences that are welcoming, usable and enjoyable for everyone.
Why to participate?
âś… Hands-on Learning & Mentorship: Put theory into practice with guidance from accessibility and tourism experts.
âś… Networking: Connect with municipal representatives, service providers and accessibility advocates.
✅ Visibility: Showcase your work on SITE’s official channels and at the project’s final transnational conference.
GOALS
Participants will be asked to work in multidisciplinary teams to devise, design and, where possible, build prototypes of innovative solutions to respond to the challenges set, which will be announced at the start of the hackathon.
These challenges are characterised by a common desire to eliminate and reduce the numerous barriers that still exist in the tourism.
Throughout the event, participants will work on real-world, multidisciplinary challenges:
- Physical accessibility of spaces: inclusive architectural and urban design solutions.
- Digital tools and technology: apps, platforms, and devices for a seamless travel experience.
- Inclusive communication: plain language, translations, signage, and Sign Language solutions.
- Tailored tourism experiences: cultural, culinary, and nature-based itineraries designed to ensure universal accessibility.
- Sustainability and social innovation: projects that combine inclusivity, positive impact, and creativity.
PRIZES & OPPORTUNITIES
🏆 The prizes for the hackathon winners are funded by Startup Turismo and will be worth €4,000 for the winning team, €2,000 for the runners-up and €1,000 for third place
🧠Mentorship session with SITE partners to develop your prototype further
📝 Certificate of Participation, endorsed by the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme
🗣️ Free participation to the SITE final international conference in Opatija (CRO)
EVENT DETAILS
The Hackathon will take place on 26 and 27 November 2025 at the Urban Center in Trieste (Corso Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour 2/2). It will begin in the morning on 26 November and end in the afternoon on 27 November with the presentation of prizes for the solutions designed.
You can join the event for free, and the organisers will arrange accommodation in Trieste for the nights of 25th and 26th November.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
We are looking for motivated and creative university students or recent graduates from diverse fields of study – architecture, engineering, computer science, tourism,business, social sciences, urban studies, communication design, linguistics (with expertise in sign language and easy language) – to imagine innovative solutions for truly accessible tourism. To broaden the discussion and bring together a wide range of specialist support skills, the Hackathon is open to applications from university students of any degree or field of study.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in the event, please complete the online registration form available in the designated section (linked on the right, or at the bottom if browsing on a smartphone). Alternatively, you may access the form by scanning the QR code on the official poster below. The deadline for registration is 11 November at 11:59 PM.
Participants will be selected based on an assessment of their CVs, and motivation as presented in their applications. The work teams will be composed of a maximum of 5 participants, preferably with diverse skills. The event is limited to 30 people. The maximum number of participants may be increased following a careful assessment based on the requirements described above.
WHAT IS NEEDED
đź’» Bring only your laptop with you!
The organisation will provide all other materials needed to complete the challenge.
ORGANISERS
This initiative is being implemented by the University of Trieste together with all SITE project partners from the City of Šibenik, DURA Dubrovnik Development Agency, Dubrovnik Airport, Central Marketing Intelligence (CMI), VEASYT , Municipality of Fano, and the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management of the University of Rijeka, with the support of the Municipality of Trieste, PromoTurismo FVG, CRIBA (Regional Center for Information on Architectural Barriers), and Startup Turismo. The Hackathon is officially endorsed by INU – National Institute of Urban Planning.
If you need more information you can contact us on our social network or in alternative you can wrote an e-mail to site@dia.units.it
AGENDA
26th of November - First day
09:30 - 10:00    Institutional greetings
10:00 - 10:30     Introduction to the SITE project and the Hackathon challenge
10:30 - 11:00     Presentation of mentors and formation of teams
10:30 - 13:00     1st teamwork session
13:00 - 14:00     Light lunch / Networking break
14:00 - 19:00     2nd Teamwork session
27th of November - Second day
08:30 - 13:30     3rd Teamwork session and snack time
13:30 - 14:00     Light lunch / Networking break
14:00 - 16:00     Presentation of the team works
16:00 - 16:30     Jury evaluation
16:45            Award ceremony
