Innovate for a Water-Resilient Europe
Climate change is transforming Europe’s water landscape. More frequent floods, prolonged droughts and increasing pressure on water resources demand new ideas, technologies and forms of collaboration.
The EIT Water Hackathon 2026 brings together students, researchers, engineers, software developers, entrepreneurs and water professionals from across Europe to create innovative digital solutions that help predict, prevent and manage water-driven disasters.
Organized as part of the EIT Water initiative, the hackathon contributes to Europe’s ambition to build a smarter, more resilient and sustainable water future through innovation, entrepreneurship and education.
Challenge Tracks
Protect Water
and Aquatic Ecosystems 🌱
Develop solutions that improve water quality, protect freshwater ecosystems and support sustainable management of Europe’s water resources.
Build the Next Generation
of Water-Smart Digital Solutions 🌍
Harness Artificial Intelligence, Earth Observation, sensors and data analytics to transform water management.
Strengthen Europe’s Resilience
to Water-Driven Disasters 🌊
Create innovative tools that help communities anticipate, prevent and respond to floods, droughts and other climate-related water risks.
Who Should Join?
The hackathon welcomes:
● Students and PhD candidates
● Researchers and university teams
● Software developers and data scientists
● Hydrologists and GIS specialists
● Civil and environmental engineers
● Entrepreneurs and start-ups
● Young professionals passionate about climate resilience and water innovation
Why Participate?
● Work on real challenges from the water sector
● Learn from leading European experts and mentors
● Meet innovators from across Europe
● Access advanced digital tools and datasets
● Develop solutions with real implementation potential
● Become part of the growing European EIT Water innovation community
Event Details
23–25 October 2026
Save the date! 📌
JA Startup Hambar
54 Knyaz Alexander Dondukov Blvd.,
Sofia, Bulgaria 📍
HYBRID ENTRY
Join on-site or online from anywhere in Europe 💻
Win prizes
Big Ideas, Bigger Prizes 🏆
JURY
The hackathon jury brings together three experienced professionals representing academia, business, and the water and development community in Bulgaria.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. VENTZI BOJKOV
vice RECTOR IT and DEVELOPMENT at uaceg
ANA MANYAROVA
sENIOR regulation & CONCESSION MANAGER – SOFIYSKA VODA, veolia
Eng. IVAN IVANOV
President of the bulgarian water association
mentors
Meet the mentors who will support teams throughout the hackathon with expert advice, practical feedback, and new perspectives. They’ll help you sharpen your ideas and turn your concept into an impactful product!
mariana damova
CEO OF MozaIka
stavri nikolov
CEO of DSLL
stanko stankov
AI ENgineer at mozaIka
GALINA KETEVA
QA ENgineer at mozaIka
yavor yordanov
CEO OF NATIONAL SOIL SURVEY
dimitar dimitrov
FOUNDER OF BLACK SEA CATCH
BURCU TASPINAR
DATA SCIENTIST AT ENGEL
TOMÁŠ ZVOLENSKÝ
SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER at GOSPACE LAB
EVENT LINKS
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
ORGANIZERS
MOZAIKA
Mozaika is a Sofia-based research and data science company. It combines AI, data infrastructure and human insight to solve complex business and societal problems, combining R&D, data-as-a-service and environmental monitoring.
DIGITAL SPACES LIVING LAB
DSLL is a living lab that helps innovators develop products, services and technologies by testing them with real users in everyday settings, providing expertise across smart cities, AI, Earth observation, wearables and sustainability.
JA STARTUP HAMBAR
JA Startup Hambar is an innovation and entrepreneurship space in Sofia that backs young founders with training, mentoring and hands-on work on their own ideas. It’s a dynamic environment where young people can connect with mentors and turn ideas into real ventures.
CONTACT US
Have a question, idea, or project in mind? Get in touch with Mozaika, we’d love to explore how we can work together!
