The Science and technology park of Montenegro hosted the two-day hackathon “Equal Hack: Code for equality” on december 10th and 11th, organized as a joint part of the European union and Council of Europe project titled “Quality education for all” in Montenegro.

The Science and technology park, in collaboration with the Program office of the Council of Europe, organized this event with the goal of promoting inclusion and improving innovative approaches to education in Montenegro. The hackathon provides high school students with an opportunity to express creativity, develop positive behaviors, and create an environment of mutual respect, focusing on free expression without discrimination, with a special emphasis on inclusion.

The event included two online mentoring sessions in which 12 registered teams participated in interactive sessions. After that, six of the most promising teams were selected for the final. The goal of the hackathon is to promote the inclusion of marginalized groups in the educational system of Montenegro, improve communication with other students, and support parents of children with special needs. Participants develop projects such as applications, educational games, quizzes, assistive devices, and promotional campaigns, contributing to a society of equal opportunities and encouraging creative solutions to social challenges.

The hackathon was opened on december 10, 2024, with introductory addresses from representatives of key institutions. Marija Gošović from the Ministry of education emphasized support for innovative ideas for more accessible education and positive social changes. Valentina Radulović, executive director of STP, highlighted that the hackathon connects young people, develops their skills, and promotes inclusion and equality. Representatives of the Council of Europe, Lejla Dervišagić and Vesna Atanasova, pointed out the importance of digital tools in empowering the rights of vulnerable groups and creating a safe community for all.

High school students had the opportunity to collaboratively develop and improve their concepts, which allowed for further evaluation of their innovative ideas. On the second day of the hackathon, the teams had the chance to present their projects to the expert jury, which included Anđela Radulović from the Ministry of education, science, and innovation, Anđela Kljajević from the Institute for education of Montenegro, Miloš Bošković from the Council of Europe, and Valentina Radulović, executive director of the Science and technology park of Montenegro. The jury ranked the teams based on several key criteria, including the sustainability of the solution, the quality of the idea presentation, the innovativeness of the technical solution, technical feasibility, and the strength and cooperation within the team.

For the hackathon “Equal Hack: Code for Equality,” 12 teams from high schools across Montenegro applied, but in the final, held at the STP building, six teams competed:

• Dominusi (Nikšić, JU Gymnasium “Stojan Cerović”) with the idea “IncluShere”        
• Mosaic of Friendship (Bar, JU Secondary Economic and Hospitality School) with the innovative technological idea “Bridge of Friendship”
• For Better Tomorrow (Nikšić, First Secondary Vocational School) with the solution “FBT Group”
• EchoVentures (Podgorica, JU Secondary Economic School “Mirko Vešović”) with the idea “Light Where It’s Needed”
• EduConnect (Tivat, JU Secondary Mixed School “Mladost”) with the idea “Edu Connect Platform”
• IncluDigi (Rožaje, JU Secondary Vocational School) with the original and striking eponymous idea “IncluDigi”

The finale of the event presented a challenging task for the jury, as the teams impressed the audience with their creativity, imagination, and ability for innovative ventures, leaving a strong impression on the jury members. Three teams advanced to the final round, with the first place going to the team “Dominus.” The second place was awarded to the team “Echo Ventures” for their innovative idea, while the third place was taken by the team “Mosaic of friendship.”

  At the Closing ceremony, valuable prizes were awarded to the teams, and the event was complemented by a festive cocktail and informal networking, creating an opportunity for further exchange of experiences and strengthening connections among the participants.

The Science and technology park of Montenegro inspires young people to develop innovative projects and contribute to the progress of the community, recognizing their potential as a key factor in development. By encouraging critical and creative thinking, it provides an opportunity for experimentation and the exchange of ideas, leading to significant social changes.