THE BLUE WAY HACKATHON

MAY 5-6, 2026 ⚓ ZADAR - CROATIA

ITA

ENG

THE BLUE WAY HACKATHON 2026 - FISHERIES AND TOURISM

48 hours. One challenge: driving innovation, sustainability and resilience in fisheries and tourism!

The sea is the new frontier of research and experimentation — a connective fabric for the economy of the future and a fertile ground for launching new enterprises.

On May 4–6, 2026, the city of Zadar (CROATIA) will host the third Hackathon of the BLUESLINKS project, dedicated to the fisheries and tourism sectors.

THE BLUE WAY HACKATHON 2026 - FISHERIES AND TOURISM EDITION

The Challenge: driving innovation, sustainability and resilience in fisheries and tourism!

Get ready for 48 hours of hands-on innovation: you’ll work in multidisciplinary teams to design prototype solutions addressing in the fisheries and tourism sectors, tackle climate change, and enhance the competitiveness of businesses in the industry.

At the heart of the challenge

1️⃣ Digital blue experiences

🌊 Digitalisation and user experience in fishery tourism
💡Challenge: Design digital solutions that connect tourists with authentic fishery experiences and improve visibility accessibility and engagement.

2️⃣ Green & low–impact tourism

🎣 Environmental sustainability and low carbon solutions.
💡Challenge: Develop innovative solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of fishery tourism operations.

3️⃣ Transparent & smart sea food

♻️ Focus, traceability, trust and quality in seafood tourism.
💡Challenge: Create systems that ensure transparency in seafood origin, sustainability and quality for tourists.

4️⃣ Resilient coastal communities

📱 Economic resilience, heritage and community inclusion.
💡Challenge: Develop solutions that strengthen local communities, diversify income sources and preserve maritime heritage.

⭐ Your idea could be the winning one!!!!

Read the

OFFICIAL RULES

Why are u waiting?

APPLY NOW!

👥 Who Can Join

The Blue Way Hackathon is open to:

• University graduates

• Young startuppers (whether already launched or in the planning phase)

Eligibility requirements:

• Italian or Croatian citizenship

• Or currently studying, residing, or working in Italy or Croatia

🎯 Why Join

• Receive a Certificate of Participation, recognized as a valuable learning experience

• Collaborate with real SMEs, who may offer internship or project opportunities after the event

• Join the international BLUESLINKS Innovation Hub (part of the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme)

👍 Get Ready!

We’re setting the stage for you to shine.

• The Hackathon will take place in person in Zadar (CROATIA), but don’t worry if you can’t make it to everything — the opening session and final awards will also be streamed online, so no one misses the big moments.

• To keep things smooth and international, the official language is English. But you won’t be on your own — bilingual facilitators (Italian and Croatian) will be by your side throughout the event.

• And because great ideas need fuel, we’ve got your meals covered — so you can focus on innovating, collaborating, and building real solutions, with no distractions.

🗓️ SCHEDULE

DAY 1

TUESDAY MAY 5, 2026

read the schedule 👇

📍 Youth Centre Zadar, Adress: Ulica Stjepana Radića 11c 23000 Zadar

⏰ From 8:30 to 19:00

🎤 Welcome speech and presenting the challenge

8.30 Gathering of participants and registration

Confirmation of registrations and distribution of materials.
Networking among participants, tutors and organisers.

9:00 Welcome session

Welcome speech

09:15 Presentation of the challenge

Introduction to the challenge objectives.
Instructions on guidelines, rules and evaluation criteria.
Introduction of tutors and jury.

10:15 Coffee break

10:30 Session 1: Brainstorming

Interactive activities to simulate creativity and innovation.
Analysis of best practices and case studies.
Team formation based on skills, brainstorming of best ideas.

12:30 Lunch break

13:30 Session 2: Operational work – initial development

Definition of project scope and concrete objectives.
Consultations with tutors to validate ideas.
Planning of subsequent development phases.

15:30 Session 3: Design and prototyping

Development of ideas into detailed concepts or prototypes
Feasibility test and validations with expert support
Initial simulations to validate the project.

17:30 Coffee break

17:45 Session 4: Advanced development

Continued development of concepts or prototypes.
Available support from tutors.

19:00 Dinner

DAY 2

WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 2026

read the schedule 👇

📍 Youth Centre Zadar, Adress: Ulica Stjepana Radića 11c 23000 Zadar

⏰ From 09:00 to 14:45

09:00 Session 5: Finalisation and presentation of the challenge

Feedback from tutors and possible adjustments.
Structuring the pitch to effectively present the project.
Presentation to the jury with a Q&A session with each team.

11:30 Lunch

12:30 Young Area

School of Economics, bureaucracy and commerce/ Ekonomsko-birotehnička I trgovačka škola Zadar
CINAZ association
Additional speakers – to be added

14:30 Coffee break

14:45 Closing ceremony

Announcement of the winners of Hackathon and awarding the best teams.

🤝 Partner

Throughout the Hackathon, you’ll never be alone: teams will be guided step by step by mentors carefully selected and trained by the partners of the Interreg BLUESLINKS project – professionals ready to support you in the process of ideation.

It’s a unique opportunity to work side by side with experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators from the Blue Economy, with whom you’ll be able to share ideas, receive strategic feedback, and turn insights into high-impact solutions.

🐟 LAG DELTA 2000 – Ostellato (FE), Italy – Lead Partner

Local development agency of the Emilia-Romagna Delta and recognized Local Action Group (LAG). With over 20 years of experience in European projects, it promotes innovation, sustainable growth, and the enhancement of coastal and rural areas.

🌐 www.deltaduemila.net

🐟 POLO TECNOLOGICO ALTO ADRIATICO “Andrea Galvani” (POLOAA) – Pordenone, Italy

A technology and innovation hub and business incubator, hosting around 100 enterprises. It specializes in digital transformation, smart manufacturing, sustainability, and maritime innovation.

🌐www.polotecnologicoaltoadriatico.it

🐟 CONFCOOPERATIVE VENETO – Padova (PD), Italy

A key representative body of the cooperative movement in the Veneto region. It supports enterprises operating in fisheries, agriculture, services, and social sectors, promoting inclusive and sustainable local development.

🌐 www.veneto.confcooperative.it

🐟 FLAG Costa dei Trabocchi – Chieti (CH), Italia

A public-private consortium dedicated to the integrated development of coastal communities in the Abruzzo region. It focuses on sustainable fisheries, diversification of local economies, and enhancement of maritime heritage.

🌐 www.flagcostadeitrabocchi.it

🐟 Università del Salento (UNISALENTO) – Lecce, Italia

A research-driven university active in innovation and sustainability, with strong expertise in marine sciences, environmental protection, and biodiversity.

🌐 www.unisalento.it

🐟 ZADRA NOVA – Agenzia di Sviluppo della Contea di Zara – Zara, Croazia

A regional development agency supporting economic growth and EU project implementation. It works closely with SMEs, local governments, and institutions to foster territorial cohesion and sustainable development.

🌐 www.zadra.hr

🐟 ARGONAUTA – Associazione per l’Ambiente e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile – Murter, Croazia

An environmental NGO based on the Dalmatian coast. It engages youth and communities through education, citizen science, and sustainable development activities in marine and coastal environments.

🌐 www.argonauta.hr

🐟 Università di Dubrovnik (UNIDU) – Dubrovnik, Croazia

A specialized higher education institution focusing on maritime studies, applied ecology, and sea technologies. It plays a key role in knowledge transfer and international cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian area.

🌐 www.unidu.hr