International Hackathon Competition for Elementary and High School Students on the Theme of Smart City Development
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Spanish-Czech Challenge HackaTEEN 2026
Do you have an idea on how to make your city or district a better place to live? Have you thought about how to make it smarter? Come with your team, turn your idea into a project within 9 hours, present it to a panel of experts, and become the ones who shape the future!
3. - 4. 11. 2026 in the Smart City Expo World Congress Barcelona
About the competition
About the competition
HackaTEEN is a competition that connects young people with Smart Cities topics and the current challenges facing today's cities. A Smart City is an inclusive, modern environment in which the involvement and activity of all community stakeholders play an irreplaceable role in its development. The event aims to spark young people's interest in innovation, technology, and sustainability, and to inspire them to think about smart solutions that can positively impact the quality of life in their communities.
HackaTEEN is a competition that connects young people with Smart Cities topics and the current challenges facing today's cities. A Smart City is an inclusive, modern environment in which the involvement and activity of all community stakeholders play an irreplaceable role in its development. The event aims to spark young people's interest in innovation, technology, and sustainability, and to inspire them to think about smart solutions that can positively impact the quality of life in their communities.
Who can participate?
Who can participate?
Teams composed of elementary and high school students aged 12–18.
A minimum of two and a maximum of five members per school, plus a teacher.
The language of communication is English.
Capacity is limited; we are looking for 5 Spanish teams!
Registration: by June 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM
What will you gain from the competition, apart from the chance to win a prize?
What will you gain from the competition, apart from the chance to win a prize?
The chance to experience the creation of innovations firsthand, in direct contact with the realities of cities and technology
International recognition and attractive prizes
Free admission to the world’s biggest and most influential event for cities and urban innovation, the Smart City Expo World Congress
International experience competing against school teams from the Czech Republic
Support from expert mentors
An understanding of key challenges – you will learn about important topics such as climate change, modern cities, and participation, and learn how to apply this knowledge at the local level.
Skills and practical experience
Experience of creative work without preparation
Motivation for further education in fields related to technology, urbanism, sustainability, and innovation
Increased awareness of smart cities
What’s it all about?
What’s it all about?
November 3, 2026 – 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Hackateen – project development
November 4, 2026 – closed-door presentations to a panel of experts (time to be announced)
November 5, 2026 – public presentations and announcement of results on stage (time to be announced)
Design smart solutions for a better life and don’t be afraid to experiment:
AI and digital technologies
new materials and technologies
creativity and urban vitality
mobility
ecology and the environment
community
All information regarding the HackaTeen event, rules, mentors, and tips for the competition will be published on the competition website by September 1, 2026, at the latest.
The event is organized by the South Moravian Agency for Public Innovation (JINAG) in collaboration with FIRA INTERNACIONAL DE BARCELONA.
Original Czech version of Hackateen
Inovation, digital technology, and creativity ....
Why HackaTEEN?
Why HackaTEEN?
Hack: Creative problem solving: Finding innovative ways to improve or create something.
Teen: English word for teenager.
Young inovator: Can refer to a teenager who likes creative problem-solving and looks for new ways to use technology.
The best ideas from last year's competition
1. place
ZŠ Bosonožská Brno
Companion drone
2. place
Gymnasium Český Krumlov
Piezoelektric tiles
3. place
SPŠ a VOŠ Liberec
Complex Smart city system for Liberec
4. place
Gymnasium Dr. Karel Polesný, Znojmo
Modern parks: Greenery for hot squares
5. place
Eko Gymnasium Brno
The bench of the future: Sensors, water and solar energy
Special Jury Prize
Secondary School of Nursing and Higher Vocational School of Nursing Znojmo
Medical microchip for monitoring blood values
Another great ideas
Good app: City in one place
Cooling spots: A cool bench in a hot city
On spot: Parking with confidence
Drought in Brno: Rainwater with reason
Eco Walk: A step towards a better city
A Walk of Memories: The Talking Trail
Community space at the lookout tower: Meeting place
Brno Plus: One app for everything
Water smartly: Greenery as a climate response
Letná Community Park: A City According to People
SPP – Smart Parking Project
The 21st Century Dining Room: Less Waste, More Satisfaction
Krokoš – an application that knows where you are going
Smart station: Facilities that attract passengers
A Bridge Between the Ages: Courses That Connect Generations
Organisers and their vision
Organisers and their vision
This unique hackateen is organised by the South Moravian Agency for Public Innovation (JINAG) in cooperation with the South Moravian Region.
In this way, JINAG is fulfilling its vision of open and modern public administration. Supporting events such as Hackateen, it creates so-called living labs, which bring together students, experts, schools, and local government representatives. It is not just a competition. It is a process that develops the digital skills of young people, increases their civic engagement, and teaches them that their ideas can have a real impact.
Hackateen is also an example of how participation can be put into practice. Young people are not just passive recipients of decisions, but become their co-creators.
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