Hackathon Colombia

COMUNIDAD Hackathon: AI for Deforestation and Risk Management

Welcome to the COMUNIDAD Hackathon in Colombia! This exciting event brings together innovation, technology, and sustainability to address key challenges in Colombia's coffee-growing regions using artificial intelligence and satellite data.

The Spanish version is available Hackathon Colombia - spanish.

About the Hackathon

The COMUNIDAD Hackathon: AI in Deforestation and Risk Management is a collaborative initiative under the COMUNIDAD project, focused on technology transfer and capacity building in Latin America. With a spotlight on Colombia, the Hackathon invites AI, data science, geospatial technologies, and agroforestry experts to co-create digital solutions that enhance precision, efficiency, and environmental resilience in agriculture.

Through a two-phase hybrid format, multidisciplinary teams will design and present solutions for managing deforestation risks and land use changes. Finalists will gain visibility through the COMUNIDAD platform, networks, and partners and contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture technologies.

Objectives

- Apply AI and satellite data to solve real-world environmental challenges.

- Improve the sustainability, efficiency, and precision of coffee farming in Colombia.

- Promote collaboration between science, technology, and agriculture professionals.

- Raise awareness of COMUNIDAD's mission and tools.

Hackathon Format

Phase 1: Model Development (Virtual)

Duration: May 1 – June 30, 2025

Teams work remotely over two months to design, develop, and train AI models focused on deforestation and risk management. With access to Copernicus satellite data, modelling tools, and mentor support, teams validate their solutions and submit final proposals. Selected teams move on to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Final Workshop (Hybrid)

Dates: July 17-18, 2025

Finalist teams present their solutions to a panel of experts. Presentations must include technical validation and applied demonstrations. This phase may be attended in person or virtually and concludes with the announcement of winners.

Who Can Participate?

We welcome:

- AI developers, data scientists, geospatial analysts, and environmental modellers.

- Research groups, institutions, and independent professionals.

- Representatives from government, NGOs, and private sectors focused on agri-tech and sustainability.

Priority is given to multidisciplinary teams that combine expertise in satellite imagery, AI, agriculture, and software development.

Challenges

1. Mapping Critical Landslide Zones

Create a predictive model that uses satellite, climate, and topographic data to identify high-risk landslide areas in Caldas. Your solution should:

- Integrate satellite imagery and climate variables

- Use AI to detect risk patterns

- Produce interactive risk maps

- Offer early warnings for decision-makers

1. Monitoring Land Use Changes

Develop an AI system to detect land use changes affecting biodiversity in coffee plantations. Your solution should:

- Classify and monitor coffee plantation zones

- Detect deforestation or human-induced changes

- Evaluate environmental impacts

- Deliver reports to inform sustainable practices

Timeline

Registration

Deadline: April 22, 2025

To register:

1. Complete the online form (link available soon)
2. Submit a 500-word solution summary
3. Upload a 2-minute video introducing your team and proposed solution
4. Include team and member details (names, contact, expertise)

Optional: Share links to previous work or relevant experience

Evaluation Criteria

Meet the Team Supporting You

Organizers: Coordinate activities and logistics and provide all necessary resources.

Mentors: Guide teams during development, offering expert advice and feedback.

Volunteers: Support operations and assist with platform communications.

Jury: Evaluate finalist presentations and provide feedback.

Technology Coordinator: Ensure access to tools, datasets, and platforms.

Publicity Team: Promote your work and share it across COMUNIDAD's networks.

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. Details on awards are coming soon.

Intellectual Property

OWNERSHIP OF CREATIONS

Participant Ownership

• Participants will retain intellectual property rights over all ideas, products, prototypes, source code, and other materials developed during the hackathon.
• Participants are responsible for ensuring that their creations are original and do not infringe on third-party rights.

Use of Pre-existing Materials

• If pre-existing elements (such as code, images, algorithms, or datasets) are used, teams must have the necessary licenses and properly cite their sources.

USE ON THE COMUNIDAD PLATFORM

Authorization for Use on COMUNIDAD

• Participants grant the organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, and free license to integrate the solutions developed during the hackathon into the COMUNIDAD platform.
• These solutions will be used exclusively to improve agriculture in Colombia, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in coffee-growing and agricultural areas.

Author Recognition

• Solutions implemented on the platform will credit the authoring teams as the original creators, recognizing their contributions to the project.

Post-Hackathon Collaboration

• Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with the organizers to optimize and scale the solutions integrated into COMUNIDAD. These collaborations will be formalized through specific agreements respecting the rights of both parties.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT

Participant Responsibility

• Teams must ensure that their proposals are original and do not violate third-party rights, including patents, copyrights, or trademarks.
• In the event of legal claims, teams will be responsible for resolving them and releasing the organisers from any liability.

Disqualification for Violations

• The use of unauthorised materials or plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification and exclusion from the platform.

DATA PROTECTION AND PUBLICITY

Data Protection

• Personal data and materials provided during the hackathon will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and used exclusively for purposes related to the event and the COMUNIDAD platform.

Publication of Results

• Organizers may publish outstanding projects and their applications on COMUNIDAD, always crediting the authors.

INTEGRATION INTO COMUNIDAD

Application in the Agricultural Sector

• Outstanding developments will be integrated into the platform to support decision-making, resource management, and sustainability in Colombian agriculture.
• These implementations will aim to maximise positive impact on rural and agricultural communities.

Future Enhancements

• Organizers may make technical improvements to the integrated solutions, informing the authors and respecting their rights as 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.