The INITIATE Hackathon – Portugal invites students to bring their ideas and work together to turn them into innovative, practical and scalable solutions for Energy Communities, solutions that enable citizens, local authorities, businesses and other stakeholders to take an active role in the energy transition.

Portugal has significant renewable energy potential, yet challenges remain in making Energy Communities more accessible, inclusive and sustainable over time. Addressing these challenges calls for fresh ideas, collaboration and skills from different fields.

The INITIATE Hackathon – Portugal will take place at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon (Lisbon Campus), on 18 and 19 March 2027.

Applications are open until 28 December 2026.

The challenge

Participants will develop proposals to support the growth and adoption of Energy Communities in Portugal. Ideas may adress:

• Sustainable business models and financing mechanisms;
• Community governance frameworks and citizen engagement strategies;
• Partnerships and implementation roadmaps involving municipalities, universities, businesses, cooperatives and civil society.

An opportunity for students from all fields

The hackathon gives students the chance to apply their knowledge to a real-world challenge, collaborate with other students and develop their problem-solving, teamwork and pitching skills. The organisers welcome participants with interests in technology, business, public policy, design or social innovation. Each of these perspectives can contribute to a more inclusive energy future.

Prizes

• All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation and a FNAC/El Corte Inglês voucher.
• The winning team of INITIATE Hackathon Portugal will travel abroad for the Final Pitching, with Iscte covering travel and accommodation expenses.
• The grand-prize-winning team is offered a bootcamp experience at Climate KIC in the Netherlands.
• Lunch will be provided for all participants on both days of the Local Competition.