International Green Hackathon: VET Students as Agents of Change
April 2-4, 2025
Participants
International Green Hackathon “Agents of Change” was held on April 2-4, 2025 in Riga,
Latvia. Participants were 45 VET students representing Vidzeme Technology and Design Vocational
School (Latvia), Tartu Vocational College (Estonia), Business and Hospitality Training Centre VESK
(Lithuania). Students formed 11 mixed teams which meant that the first challenge was to overcome
language and cultural barriers and learn to work in international teams.
Challenges to be Addressed
The challnges were proposed by two companies. Challenge 1 by
“Schwenk” concerned construction and demolition waste. Proposed task: Develop a community
engaggement plan to activate collective and individual sense of reponsibility for reducae dthe
amount of dumped construction and demolition waste and changing peoples’ habits to dump.
Challenge 2 was formulated by “BTA” and the task was: Develop and innovative solution and or
practical tool to help young people in the Baltic states protect themselves from impacts of climate
change.
Programme
The 1st day included variety of activities for students to get to know the whereabouts
in the centre of Riga, to get to know each other and build international teams. The activities included
presentation of hackathon challenges by the companies, Sustainability game and workshop by Sykli
and Treasure Hunt game around the city of Riga. The 2nd day was devoted to working in teams and
developing solutions to challenges. Students’ teams were supported by mentors and experts. The
focus of the 3rd day was students’ teams presentations and awarding the winners.
Winning Ideas
The 1st prize was awarded to Team “Zephyr” represented by Edvardas Sakalinskas – Lithuania,
Meribel Piits – Estonia, Karlote Undrits – Estonia, Berit Viigipuu– Estonia
They addressed Green Jobs challenge (Challenge 1) and proposed a demo for platform dedicated
to Green jobs;
The 2 nd prize went to Team “Mist” represented by Joana Gerda Gatovska – Lithuania, Alise Mizga, Latvia, Arina Mironova – Latvia, who addressed adaptation to climate change (Challenge 2) and
developed a concept of a summer camp where young people could learn sustainability;
The 3 rd prize went to the team “Green Guardians” represented by Liepa Liubeckaitė – Lithuania,
Marleen Matto – Estonia, Oskars Engelss – Latvia, Karina Jankovskaja – Lithuania, Gusts Vītiņš
– Latvia. They developed a demo platform dedicated to green agriculture.
Supporters
The main supporters were companies “Schwenk” and “BTA” who not only proposed challenges, but
also offered expert support and assessed the students’ ideas as jury members; Other supporters
included wel—known companies like “Maxima”, “Balticovo”, “Dobele”
