24 - 26 April
Netaville, Skopje
On-site
Join the Hackathon in Skopje!
Is it time to add space technology skills – and a real project – to your resumé? Join the 11th CASSINI Hackathon to access EU space data and develop a solution which protects our natural water resources.
You don’t need any experience: you’ll get all the training and tools to utilise EU space data and tackle the issues of water scarcity, flooding, or pollution. Over three days in Skopje, you’ll hear from experts in space, tech, and environmental industries. You’ll learn how to access datasets from Copernicus, EGNOS, and Galileo. Then you’ll connect with other professionals to form a multi-skilled team. This edition has three challenges on the theme of water:
- Securing equitable and efficient access to water
- Tracking and preventing water pollution
- Disaster risk monitoring
In N.Macedonia, our water resources are under threat. The river Vardar is one of the most polluted in the Balkans, affected by industrial discharge and untreated waste. Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa are also in ecological decline, with pollution and human factors causing biodiversity to dwindle. They’re both UNESCO sites, and solutions to help monitor and protect these lakes are a high priority in the public sector.
We have a lot to talk about and many problems to solve! Join us to explore the ways that space data could help to protect and preserve our water resources – and perhaps build your own environmental start-up.
Local prizes:
- 3000 EUR for 1st place, by G+D Netcetera
- Receive expert guidance from mentors across tech, business, and space industries
- Connect with Europe’s leading space and innovation ecosystem
- More prizes coming soon...
Central prizes:
Additionally, the local winners will qualify for the European competition, where they will receive the following prizes:
- 1st place: €5,000
- 2nd place: €3,000
- 3rd place: €1,000
Mentoring
The top 3 teams across all competing hackathons will each be awarded an additional 6 months of expert mentoring by CASSINI.
Our mentors and experts will support participants throughout the hackathon weekend, helping ensure that the proposed solutions are technically robust, impactful, and solve real-world challenges. More mentors will be announced soon, as we approach the event.
G+D Netcetera is a pioneering software company employing more than 400 people in N.Macedonia. It has established Netaville, a modern IT hub with facilities for teaching, co-working, and a relaxation zone.
International Space Alliance (ISA) is dedicated to decentralizing space exploration and fostering diversity in the STEM and Space Ecosystem.
For the 11th CASSINI Hackathon, Netaville's and ISA's team will bring together students, engineers, data scientists, environmentalists, and institutions to create new solutions to protect Macedonia’s waterways. There will be an international expert panel to mentor and inspire our participants.
Build your next space tech project at the 11th CASSINI Hackathon in Skopje this April. Register to access the pre-event training and secure your place.
The organization of the CASSINI Hackathon is made possible through the strong collaboration of industry partners, government institutions, academia, as well as the valued support of our sponsors and community supporters.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE) of North Macedonia is the government body responsible for managing agricultural policies, forestry, water resources, and rural development. Located in Skopje, it regulates food safety, land use, hunting, fishing, and implements projects aimed at improving agricultural competitiveness, including EU-supported IPARD programs.
The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of North Macedonia (MoEPP), established in 1998, is the central governmental body responsible for environmental policy,, nature protection, spatial planning, water management, waste management, and industrial pollution control.
The Macedonian Ecological Society (MES), established in 1972, is a leading NGO in North Macedonia dedicated to biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and promoting sustainable resource use. It conducts scientific research, manages protected areas, and engages in advocacy, notably with the IUCN and Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust - PONT.
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM) is the oldest and largest state university in North Macedonia, founded in 1949 in Skopje. It serves as a comprehensive educational and research center, boasting 23 faculties, 5 research institutes, and numerous associated institutions. The university serves over 60,000 students across various fields, including technical, medical, and social sciences.
FINKI (Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering - FCSE) is the strongest and most advanced scientific research and educational institution in Macedonia, established in 2011. It serves nearly 50% of students in its field, focusing on informatics and computer engineering, resulting from the merger of two prominent institutes that collaborated since the 1980s.
Business Academy Smilevski (BAS) is a private higher education institution in Skopje, North Macedonia, founded in 2007 to train operational and strategic managers. It offers accredited degrees in Operational Management and Strategic Management, focusing on practical skills, interactive teaching, and mandatory weekly practice, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and the real business world
The university student assembly of the University "St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje" is an active student organization with the aim of protecting the interests of over 22,000 students, participating through its representatives in decision-making in the organs and bodies of the university, and representing the students within the framework of higher education as members of the academic community.
Largest digital student platform in N.Macedonia.
The Institute for Good Governance and Euro-Atlantic Perspectives (#IDUEP) is a think tank established in 2009.
- Good governance
- Digitalization
- Integration
- Youth Activism
- Women Empowerment
The European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) is an independent European think tank based in Brussels, committed to promoting good governance, democratic development, and excellence in communication, research, and policymaking across Europe and EU candidate countries. ECE Brussels actively supports digital transparency, the ethical use of emerging technologies and AI, and the advancement of inclusive democratic societies.
Asclepios Lab is an EPFL-recognized association dedicated to designing and building space-grade technologies for analog lunar and planetary missions. Asclepios Lab serves as a multidisciplinary hub where students develop high-fidelity hardware, robotics, and life-support systems to be tested during the annual Asclepios Missions. By simulating the constraints of extreme environments, the association bridges the gap between academic research and the future of human space exploration.