Hackathon Chile

COMUNIDAD Hackathon: Geospatial Innovation for Chilean Patagonia

Welcome to the COMUNIDAD Hackathon in Chile! This exciting event is tailored to turning Satellite Data into Action for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Land Management in Chilean Patagonia.

About the Hackathon

The COMUNIDAD Hackathon Chilean Patagonia from Space: Geospatial Insights for a Sustainable Future is part of the COMUNIDAD project's mission to foster innovation and technological capacity across Latin America. This event invites students, researchers, professionals, and innovators to co-create digital tools using Copernicus satellite data, climate records, and local datasets to address the urgent environmental challenges of Chile’s southern regions.

Hosted by the Universidad de Aysén in collaboration with the Agricultural Innovation Agency (FIA) and a strong network of regional partners, the Hackathon focuses on advancing climate adaptation, glacier and lake monitoring, and sustainable forestry and agriculture through the use of AI, geospatial tools, and remote sensing technologies.

Participants will access and analyze open-source data from:

• Sentinel-1: Radar imagery for land deformation and flood detection
• Sentinel-2: Optical imagery for monitoring vegetation and land cover
• Sentinel-3: Surface temperature, fire detection, and water quality analysis
• Sentinel-5P: Atmospheric pollution and emissions tracking

Complemented by regional data and supported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), participants will apply these tools to build solutions tailored to the needs of Patagonia’s ecosystems and communities.

Objectives

- Apply satellite data and AI to strengthen environmental monitoring in Patagonia.

- Design digital tools for climate adaptation and sustainable resource use.

- Promote collaboration between research institutions, public agencies, and civil society.

- Empower local decision-making through open-access geospatial solutions.

Hackathon Format

Phase 1: Development Sprint (Hybrid)

Duration: May 12 – June 4, 2025

Teams will engage in a hybrid development phase where they receive mentoring, attend guest speaker sessions (Chilean and European), and work collaboratively to design and prototype their geospatial solutions. Mentors from institutions such as CIEP, INIA, CORFO, FIA, and IDE Chile will provide expert guidance.

Phase 2: Final Workshop & Awards (Hybrid)

Date: June 11, 2025

Finalist teams will present their work to a jury of national and international experts. Solutions will be evaluated based on innovation, data use, environmental and social relevance, and clarity of communication.

Who Can Participate?

We welcome:

- Students, researchers, professionals, and entrepreneurs (18+)

- Individuals and teams (3–5 members recommended)

- Backgrounds in Earth observation, geosciences, remote sensing, AI, or natural resources

- No programming experience is required; multidisciplinary collaboration is encouraged

- Participants from across Latin America and the Caribbean

Challenges

1. Monitoring Glaciers and Lakes for Risk Management and Climate Resilience

Develop geospatial tools to monitor glacier height and glacial lake volume changes. Use multi-temporal satellite imagery and climate data to support early warning systems and disaster risk reduction in local communities.

2. Multi-Source Data Integration for Sustainable Silvoagropecuary Management

Create a platform that integrates satellite imagery, UAV data, and climate records to optimize land use planning and natural resource management in silvoagropecuary systems.

Timeline

Registration

Deadline: May 2, 2025

To register:

1. Fill out the online form (link available soon)
2. Provide team or participant details
3. Select your preferred challenge
4. Submit a motivation letter (max. 2,000 characters)

Optional: Include prior experience in geospatial tools or modelling

Evaluation Criteria

Meet the Team Supporting You!

Throughout the Hackathon, you’ll be supported by a team of dedicated professionals who will help you succeed from the moment you register to the final pitch presentation. Here’s who will be working alongside you:

Organizers: The Universidad de Aysén and FIA lead the event coordination. They’ll ensure you have what you need—clear guidance, schedules, and access to all platforms and tools. They’re your go-to team for any logistical or organizational questions.

Mentors: Experts from institutions like CIEP, INIA, CORFO, and IDE-Chile will be available throughout the development phase. They’ll help you troubleshoot technical issues, offer strategic advice, and give feedback to strengthen your ideas and prototypes.

Volunteers: This team keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. They’ll help manage the communication platforms, coordinate event sessions, and connect you with the right people when needed.

Jury: During the final event, a panel of professionals in innovation, technology, and environmental science will evaluate your project. They’ll review your work based on clear criteria and provide useful feedback that goes beyond the competition.

Technology Coordinator: Any technical issues? This person ensures that your tools, platforms, and data are fully functional. They’ll help with access, troubleshooting, and real-time problem-solving during the Hackathon.

Publicity & Website Team: Your work matters, and this team helps you share it. They’ll keep the website updated, promote your progress through social media, and spotlight innovative solutions coming from your team.

Prizes & Recognition

- Finalists and winning teams will be showcased across COMUNIDAD’s digital channels and project networks. Selected solutions may be integrated into the COMUNIDAD platform with full author recognition.

- 3 Mid-range computer equipment (1st place)

- 3 Tablets (2nd place)

More details on awards are coming soon.

Intellectual Property

The intellectual property of the applications developed by the teams belongs exclusively to the participants. However, the organizers may use their concepts for promotional and outreach purposes, always respecting the rights of the creators.

Code of Conduct

The hackathon aims to foster an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful environment for all participants. All attendees—including participants, organizers, mentors, and judges—are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct:

• Respect and Diversity
  • All participants must be treated with respect, regardless of gender, identity, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, religion, or level of experience.
  • Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or offensive behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.
• Teamwork and Collaboration
  • A spirit of cooperation and mutual learning is encouraged.
  • Teamwork should be fair, recognizing and valuing the contributions of all members.
  • Competition should remain healthy, avoiding unfair or dishonest practices.
• Ethical Use of Technology
  • Solutions must comply with legal regulations and ethical principles, avoiding the misuse of data or the development of tools with harmful applications.
  • Transparency in the use of data sources and software must be ensured, including proper licensing and attribution.
• Integrity and Intellectual Property
  • Teams retain the intellectual property rights of their developments.
  • Authorship of others’ work and any external materials used must be respected.
  • Plagiarism and misappropriation of others’ ideas are strictly prohibited.
• Responsible Use of Resources
  • Participants are expected to use the technological tools, platforms, and spaces provided by the hackathon appropriately and responsibly.
  • Malicious techniques such as cyberattacks or data manipulation will not be tolerated.
• Behavior During Presentations and Evaluations
  • Presentations must be punctual, clear, and respectful of assigned time limits.
  • Feedback and evaluations must be received with a constructive and professional attitude.
• Consequences of Misconduct
  • Any violation of the code of conduct may result in warnings, team disqualification, or, in severe cases, expulsion from the event.
  • Organizers reserve the right to take necessary measures to ensure a safe and respectful environment.

Contact and Support

Event-related inquiries can be sent to the following email address: comms4comunidad@gmail.com

Participants will be notified of all announcements, results, and general information about the event via their email and our website: https://comunidad-project.eu/. It is the responsibility of the participants to stay informed through these channels.

For more details, download the detailed guide for authors HERE.