As part of the international PLACE-EE project, we're inviting hackers from all backgrounds and skill levels to a 12 hour hackathon.

The challenge is to develop proof of concepts (PoCs) for digital solutions/services that are designed to enable older citizens - especially for those in rural areas - to stay engaged and connected (to health and social needs and use of public services, for instance). The winning PoCs should be sustainable and have the potential to be expanded throughout Europe and indeed globally.

There's no limit on the technologies that can be utilised to create solutions / services / products: mobile, Internet of Things, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, gamification, the list goes on.

We'll provide mentors and subject matter experts to assist developers throughout the event. You'll be in a team of up to 5 people (if you don't have a team we can sort this out on the day).

By the end of the hackathon, the participants can pitch to a panel of judges, including key public and community stakeholders in front wider audience of their peers.

Why join us:

#1 Learn more in 12 hours than in 3 months

Say goodbye to your comfort zone

- Fine tune your tech and collaboration skills, and work under pressure

#2 Showcase your skills

Stand out from the crowd

- Great experience for CVs and LinkedIn

#3 People

A welcoming and collaborative environment

- Learning together and from each other, and making friends.

#4 Worthwhile

Tech for good

- Create something that could help solve real challenges in rural areas!

(If you are a Ulster University student successful completion will contribute towards the Edge Award - contact m.curran@ulster.ac.uk for more details).

We pride ourselves on providing a diverse and safe environment.

This hackathon is part of PLACE-EE - a transnational partnership of public health agencies, local authorities, academics and ICT experts dedicated to improving the quality of life for older citizens. It is funded by the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme of the European Union and the aim is to develop and implement locally derived sustainable solutions to encourage internet use and person-centred eHealth. Older citizens will engage with our transnational partnership of municipal bodies, public health, universities and enterprise in a programme of community engagement and intergenerational exchange between younger and older citizens using an assets-based approach to build capacity among older citizens to address barriers to service access.