mission = "Build bold, data-driven solutions for cities.";

perks = [
"Expert mentorship",
"Curated datasets",
"Hands-on tech sessions"
];
finale = "Pitch at New York Climate Week (in-person or online)";

prize = "Seed funding + city partnership for real-world testing";

callToAction = "Help cities track progress, drive impact, and build a sustainable future.";

 

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TIMELINE

THEMES

To spark even more diverse and impactful solutions, this year’s Hackathon will feature two expanded themes — welcoming experts, students, and innovators from a wide range of fields.

Theme 1: Expanding energy access and alleviating energy poverty
Design bold solutions to help cities deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all — with a special focus on supporting vulnerable communities.

Theme 2: Identifying actions and tracking implementation
Develop tools to identify, monitor, and accelerate the actions cities are taking to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen their resilience to climate change.

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The challenge

Cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis—and you can help them lead the way. The AI x city climate action hackathon 2025 invites innovators, students, researchers, and technologists to co-create solutions that empower cities to reduce emissions, expand energy access, and build resilience.

This year’s edition builds on the momentum of 2024, with a broader scope, deeper collaboration opportunities, and a unique hybrid format. Participants will gain access to expert mentorship from leading voices in climate science, artificial intelligence, and urban innovation. You’ll also work with curated datasets provided by city networks and partners to bring your ideas to life.

Throughout the hackathon, you’ll be supported by technical workshops and Q&A sessions designed to sharpen your skills and help you develop impactful, actionable solutions. Whether you’re a student team or a seasoned innovator, you’ll be part of a collaborative learning experience focused on real-world implementation.

Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions during New York Climate Week 2025, either live on stage or virtually. Winning teams will receive seed funding to further develop and pilot their solutions, and will be paired with a city to explore implementation on the ground.

As part of the “Road to COP30” initiative, this year’s hackathon also includes a regional spotlight on Latin America, with a deep dive hosted in Córdoba, Argentina. This is a chance to engage with local experts, universities, and networks tackling climate challenges in the region.

Key dates include the launch webinar on May 22, submission deadline on September 1, and the finalist pitch event in September during New York Climate Week.

🗓️Our programmed sessions:

– 10 June – Expert Session: Energy Access and Poverty– 17 June – Expert Session: City-led Climate Action– 16 July – Office hours– 13 August – Office hours
All sessions will be held at 3pm CEST, recorded and shared!

The AI x City Climate Action Hackathon 2025 is organized by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), Urban Transitions Mission (UTM), C40 Cities, ICLEI, Open Earth Foundation, and other leading organizations committed to advancing innovative, people-centered climate solutions.

The hackathon is open to students, professionals, or a combination of both.

Participants must develop a methodology to tackle the challenge statement that must be demonstrated totally or partially by an AI application, by using geospatial tools or data, through dashboards or other data science applications or by providing case studies.

Up to ten submissions will be selected to pitch in person or virtually at New York Climate Week 2025. No costs will be covered to participants.

The winners will be selected at New York Climate Week and will receive support to develop their solution.

Submissions should have the following components:

Presentation: Create a comprehensive presentation that explains your solution in detail. This should cover the key features, benefits and challenges of your methodology.

Demonstration: Use the methodology to analyze one or more cities for demonstration as case studies, apply the methodology or a fragment of it on an AI tool or any other technology you are familiar with.

Our jury of experts will be assessing submissions based on four key areas: innovation, impact, feasibility, and presentation.

1. Innovation. Originality and creativity of the solution

  • Participants should aim to develop unique and innovative solutions that showcase creative thinking.
  • Solutions should introduce new ideas or approaches that have not been widely implemented.
  • Consideration will be given to how the solution differentiates itself from existing tools or methods.

2. Impact. Potential to positively impact cities’ climate action efforts

  • Solutions should demonstrate a clear and significant potential to enhance climate action in cities.
  • The impact could be measured in terms of the hackathon asks tackled by the solution.
  • Solutions should address specific challenges faced by cities and provide tangible benefits to communities.

3. Feasibility. Practicality and scalability of the solution

  • Solutions must be practical and implementable within real-world urban settings.
  • Consideration will be given to the resources required for implementation, including technology, funding, and manpower.
  • Scalability is crucial; solutions should have the potential to be adapted and applied to multiple cities or regions.

4. Presentation. Clarity and effectiveness of the project presentation

  • Participants must clearly articulate their solution, including its purpose, functionality, and benefits.
  • Presentations should be well-organized, engaging, and visually appealing.
  • The effectiveness of communication will be evaluated, including the ability to convey complex ideas in an understandable manner.
Kick off session (22 May)   |  slide deck
Expert Session: Energy access and poverty (10 June)   |  slide deck
  1. What is the AI x City Climate Action Hackathon 2025?
    The Innovate4Cities Hackathon 2025 is a global initiative that brings together innovators, students, researchers, and technologists to co-create solutions that empower cities to reduce emissions, expand energy access, and build resilience. The 2025 edition builds on the momentum of 2024, featuring two new themes focusing on energy access and city climate action.
  2. Who can participate in the Hackathon?
    The Hackathon is open to students, professionals, or any combination of both. There are no restrictions on age or country. You may join by yourself, or in teams.
  3. What are the themes for this year’s Hackathon?
    This year’s Hackathon features two expanded themes:
    • Expanding energy access and alleviating energy poverty: Design bold solutions to help cities deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all, with a special focus on supporting vulnerable communities.
    Identifying actions and tracking implementation: Develop tools to identify, monitor, and accelerate the actions cities are taking to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen their resilience to climate change.
  4. What do I need to do?
    Participants must develop a methodology to tackle the challenge statement of either theme. The solution must be demonstrated totally or partially by an AI application, geospatial tools or data, dashboards or other data science applications, or by providing case studies.
  5. What is the timeline for the Hackathon?
    Key dates include:
    Kick-off Webinar: May 22, 2025
    Expert Session, Energy Access and Poverty: June 10, 2025
    Expert Session, City-led Climate Action: June 17, 2025
    Office Hours: July 16, 2025
    • Office Hours: August 13, 2025
    Submission Deadline: September 1, 2025
    Finalist Pitch Event: During New York Climate Week in September 2025
  6. What are the submission requirements?
    Submissions should include:
    Presentation: A comprehensive presentation that explains your solution in detail, covering key features, benefits, and challenges of your methodology.
    Demonstration: Use the methodology to analyze one or more cities for demonstration as case studies, apply the methodology or a fragment of it on an AI tool or any other technology you are familiar with.
  7. How will submissions be evaluated?
    Submissions will be assessed based on four key areas:
    Innovation: Originality and creativity of the solution.
    Impact: Potential to positively impact cities’ climate action efforts.
    Feasibility: Practicality and scalability of the solution.
    Presentation: Clarity and effectiveness of the project presentation.
  8. What can I get by participating?
    Participants will have access to expert mentorship, curated datasets, and workshops designed to support the development of impactful, actionable solutions. Finalists will also have the opportunity to pitch their solutions during New York Climate Week 2025, either live on stage or virtually.
  9. What support will finalists receive?
    Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions during New York Climate Week 2025, either live on stage or virtually. Winning teams will receive seed funding to further develop and pilot their solutions and will be paired with a city to explore implementation on the ground.
  10. I’m still looking for a team, how can I connect with others?
    We can help! We will have a section in our Biweekly Newsletter where participants can express their interest in connecting with others and you may reach each other directly. To be included in our next newsletter, please send us the information below to innovate4cities@gcomsupport.org –
    Your name
    Contact info (e.g. email)
    Theme of your choice between Energy and City Action (if you have a preference)
    Short introduction about 100 words (optional but recommended – e.g. your background or your interest, what you are looking for (a team, or just one or two people to add to your own team etc.).
  11. Great! How do I join?
    First, you must register for the Hackathon by signing up for any of our webinars by using the sign up button. By signing up to our webinars, you’ll become a registered participant of the Hackathon and will receive invites for upcoming sessions and bi-weekly updates on your email.Once you are ready to submit (remember – the deadline is on 1st September!), send us an email at innovate4cities@gcomsupport.org by following the instructions on the ‘Are you ready to submit your idea?’ section.If you have any further questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out to the AI x City Climate Action Hackathon 2025 organizing team at innovate4cities@gcomsupport.org.


Got ideas for a more sustainable, climate-resilient future?
Be part of a global movement turning data into action. Join fellow innovators, students, and experts to build real solutions that help cities thrive.

All work produced as part of this Hackathon are made available under an Attribution-ShareAlike creative commons licence. Find out more here

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Updates

OUR 2024 HACKATHON

ARE YOU READY to submit your idea?

Please send us an email at innovate4cities@gcomsupport.org with the subject “Hackathon 2025 Submission [NAME]” including in the email body (1) name, (2) organization (if any) and (3) country of you and any other team members. Please give your (4) submission a name, (5) explain what the content of any attached files is and (6) choose one of the two themes.

We will be expecting at least two files attached: (7) a methodology or process flow and (8) a demonstration of your methodology or process flow.

For further information please refer to the ‘rules and guidelines’ and ‘FAQ’ sections above or send us an email.

Hackathon Partners

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