OPEN SEA LAB 3.0 HACKATHON

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

Welcome to the EMODnet Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon! 

The “EMODnet Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon” (with past editions in 2017 and 2019) is conceived from the desire to increase the value of the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) to existing and new user communities. EMODnet provides open access to European marine data, which is a valuable asset that enables user communities to develop innovative, data-based solutions to Ocean challenges.  Open Sea Lab (OSL) is meant as a platform to provide training and networking opportunities for EMODnet users, empowering them to make the most of the digital assets made available by this thriving European network. OSL events have the added bonus of acting as live stress tests of EMODnet services, highlighting what works well for users, and where weaknesses could be addressed to improve usability and user value. 

The third edition of this now well-established Hackathon, Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon, is an opportunity to invite users to test EMODnet’s new Central Portal and explore the advantages brought by the centralisation of EMODnet’s services and its new, expanded features. As in previous editions, OSL 3.0 partners with other key EU data services, organisations, and initiatives of Europe’s thriving Ocean data landscape, including Copernicus Marine Service, ICES, and VLIZ as well as with research and education institutions, such as Marine @UGent.

Participants in Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon will benefit from:

• Exposing their talent to leading organizations active in the marine domain.
• Being inspired by professionals working on marine data management, as well as Ocean research, sustainability & innovation.
• Making new professional contacts amongst peers working in the marine & maritime domains.
• Learning about and mastering the use of EMODnet’s Central Portal data resources.

The Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon is designed for participants with various backgrounds, but the applications and solutions developed should be relevant to the societal objectives of the EU Green Deal and UN Agenda 2030 (SDG14). The Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon will:

• Welcome participants from diverse backgrounds (communication professionals, marine researchers, data scientists, environmental managers, policymakers, students, citizens, etc.).
• Support participants with the knowledge and expertise of a great team of coaches (IT, data, and marine thematic scientists and experts).
• Open opportunities to broaden the EMODnet network, bringing together businesses, public administrations, NGOs, and citizens in the co-creation of solutions to Ocean challenges.

The “Winners” of the Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon will be invited to participate in the European Maritime Day (EMD) 2023, which will be held in Brest (France) on 24-25 May 2023. EMD will provide a platform and an excellent opportunity for the winners to showcase their winning ideas, as well as to network with the high-profile, professional visitors participating in Europe’s leading annual marine and maritime gathering. A maximum of three (3) Teams will be awarded as “Winners” of the Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon. The travel costs from/to a location in Europe to/from Brest/ France and accommodation (standard single room) in Brest for up to three (3) nights will be covered for a maximum of three (3) members from each Winning Team (the “Prize”).      

Participation is completely free of charge and open to participants from all countries. Please note that the travel costs for a maximum of three (3) members from each Winning team will only be covered from/ to a location in Europe to/from Brest/ France. No visa support will be provided. All event times are Central European Time (CET). The minimum age to participate is 18 years. 

To participate in the Hackathon, participants must be in Teams of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of ten (10) participants. It will not be possible to participate as an individual.

Each team must nominate a Team Leader who will indicate the persons from the team (up to a maximum of three (3) persons per Team) who will receive the Prize on behalf of the Team, should the Team be awarded a Prize.

Employees of organisations that are co-organisers or collaborating entities of the Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon can join a Team participating in the Hackathon, but they cannot be personally eligible to benefit from the prize(s) linked to an Award. 

Prizes must be accepted as awarded and are non-refundable or redeemable for cash.

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Please note that the Hackathon is intended for Teams in which at least one (or more) team member has a strong IT background and is familiar with coding and/or programming.

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Please note that participation is not allowed for individuals resident or domiciled in any country where participation would be prohibited by applicable law or the laws of the European Union.

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By participating in Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as to the Terms of Use of EMODnet virtual environments, accessible at  https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en and https://ec.europa.eu/info/legal-notice_en, which jointly form the Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon’s Terms and Conditions.

 

OVERVIEW

EMODnet Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon (“Hackathon“)

 

THE HACKATHON OBJECTIVE

The “EMODnet Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon” (with past editions in 2017 and 2019) is conceived from the desire to increase the visibility and value of EMODnet resources to existing and new user communities. The third edition of this now well established Hackathon, OSL 3.0, is an opportunity to challenge users to test EMODnet’s new central portal, inviting the community to explore and exploit the advantages brought by the centralisation of EMODnet’s services and the new, expanded features it offers. Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon partners with key EU data services, organisations, and initiatives of Europe’s thriving Ocean data landscape, including Copernicus Marine Service, VLIZ  ICES, as well as with research and education institutions, such as Marine @UGent.

 

ORGANISER & FACILITATOR

The Organiser (“Organiser”) of the event is the “EMODnet Secretariat”. The EMODnet Secretariat is administered by Seascape Belgium and is hosted at the InnovOcean site in Oostende, with support from the Flemish Government. The EMODnet Secretariat, on behalf of the European Commission, is responsible for the delivery of the Hackathon.

The Facilitator (“Facilitator”) of the event is GOPA Com. S.A. registered office Boulevard de la Woluwe 2, 1150 Brussels/ Belgium, VAT code BE 0462 293 288. GOPA Com. S.A. will produce, coordinate, and manage the Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon with Kreativdistrikt S.r.l. 

(KDKT) using a platform provided by KDKT.

The Facilitator and the Organiser may be collectively referred to as “Hackathon Partners”.

 

DATES AND TIMING* (*all events take place in CET)

REGISTRATION PHASE:  December 2022 – March 2023

From 15 December to 24 March 2023 at 12:00 – CET

IDEATION WARM UP: 6 March – 24 March 2023

Full agenda: https://opensealab.eu/agenda-ideation/

3-DAY LIVE HACKATHON: 27 – 30 March 2023

The detailed agenda as well as the deliverables to be submitted will be available upon registration.

CELEBRATING WINNERS AT THE EUROPEAN MARITIME DAY: May 2023

Up to three (3) members of the three (3) Winning teams will be invited to join European Maritime Day 2023 (Brest, 24-25 May), enjoying exhibition and networking opportunities to showcase and give outreach to their solutions to the high-profile, professional visitors participating in Europe’s leading annual maritime gathering.

The Hackathon Partners will be the official timekeeper for this event.

 

HACKATHON PROCESS

Registration will open in December 2022.

Upon registration, you will be asked to create your profile as a participant and to fill in the form with all the mandatory fields. 

Before the Hackathon starts you will be able to download the Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon “Starter Kit” from the dedicated Hackathon platform tab named “Starter Kit & Resources” which is visible to registered participants. The Starter Kit contains useful information that we recommend that you read carefully, such as how to use the Hackathon platform, how to create or join a team, how to access the resources, how and when to submit your work, the required content for each deliverable, etc. Once available, please read the document carefully to prepare for the Hackathon.

From 6 March to 24 March 2023, a virtual “Ideation Warm Up” will take place. Participation is optional and only intended as a preparatory support for hackathon participants, including ideation and team formation. During this period, you will be able to access relevant video tutorials and resources that will guide you in acquiring knowledge and practice on the use of the EMODnet Central Portal and its resources. Live interactive sessions with EMODnet experts and other (marine data) professionals will also be organized. During this period, you will be asked to create or join a Team to address a specific challenge. 

Each Team must have from 3 to 10 members, appoint a team leader and we highly recommend that at least one member has a strong IT background and is familiar with coding and/or programming. No individual participation in the Hackathon will be allowed.

You can either create your team as a team leader and then add your team members; or join the team of your team leader. You can also apply individually and then look for a team to join.

When creating your team, you will also be asked to first select 1 of the 6 challenges presented to participants, which can be explored in the section “Challenge” of these Terms & Conditions”.

Once your team is created, you and your team will be able to communicate in the Team’s private chat room, which is made accessible immediately after the team’s creation. If you don’t have a team, you will have the opportunity to apply to join another team directly on the platform or to chat with other participants through the #findyourteam channel, so that you can agree on setting up a team with others.     

Once your team is correctly created, you will receive more information directly in your private team chat, such as Hackathon deadlines and important announcements; how to contact the mentors; how to deliver the Hackathon deliverables and final work; etc. In addition to content and instructions available on the Hackathon platform, tutorial videos, written guidelines and templates will be provided to the Teams.

During the 3-day Virtual Hackathon, from 27 March to 30 March 2023, all Teams will be guided and supported by a Coaching & Mentoring Team, who will help you towards shaping and delivering your project. Mentors will be available to all Teams at specific times throughout the Hackathon. The jury deliberation & announcement of winners will take place on 30 March 2023.

 

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

The guidelines for the submission of deliverables are provided on the Starter Kit available only to the hackathon registrants. 

 

CHALLENGES

The following challenges are envisioned:

• Challenge 1 – Protecting and restoring marine & freshwater biodiversity

How might we leverage EMODnet to evolve a true trans-European nature network that protects our sea areas; to restore rivers or to scale up nature-based solutions that improve the resilience of coastal communities?

• Challenge 2      – Eliminating pollution of our ocean, seas, and waters

How might we leverage EMODnet to reduce microplastics and plastic litter at sea or to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides, through innovative solutions or improved international governance?

• Challenge 3 – Making the blue economy carbon-neutral and circular

How might we leverage EMODnet to eliminate or sequester greenhouse gas emissions from maritime economic activities; develop zero-carbon and low impact aquaculture; promote low-carbon, multi-purpose use of the marine and water space; or mobilise the ocean and inland water’s potential for carbon-free energy?

• Challenge 4 – Contributing to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

How might we leverage EMODnet to advance a digital knowledge system that supports international collaboration towards better understanding, monitoring, forecasting and protecting the Ocean?

• Challenge 5 – Empowering social innovation

How might we leverage EMODnet to inspire and support social innovation practices or participatory governance approaches that empower citizens to co-design and co-implement solutions to restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030?

 

• Challenge 6 – Wild Card: Hack the Ocean!

How might we leverage EMODnet data for the change that you would like to see in our relationship with the Ocean?

 

PROOF OF CONCEPT

During the hackathon, participants will be asked to deliver a “Proof of Concept” (POC) for innovative solutions that could be developed to address one of the 6 hackathon challenges.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

FIRST ROUND OF EVALUATION (TOTAL OF 50 POINTS):

The first round of evaluation will take place “offline” from 28 March at 18:01 – CET until 30 March at 15:59 – CET. The evaluation criteria applied are:

Fitness-for-purpose: The “proof of concept”:

• Identifies a clear problem that it wishes to address
• Is relevant to the Topics & challenges targeted by the hackathon
• Clearly identifies how it could contribute to tackling the problem
• Clearly identifies who would benefit from its application (i.e., “potential users”)
• Is an innovative idea

Use of data: The “proof of concept”:

• Uses at least one of the datasets, services, models, and/or resources available in the EMODnet Central Portal
• Combines data resources available in EMODnet Central Portal with other data resources
• Addresses interoperability and/or reusability of data in an effective way
• Feeds from the Map Viewer to discover and bring data into its setup

Visualization: The “proof of concept”:

• Allows data visualization
• Makes complex analyses comprehensive for expert audiences through data visualization techniques
• Makes complex analyses comprehensive for non-expert audiences through data visualization techniques

Maturity: The “proof of concept” is:

• Clearly outlined
• Tested through a good working prototype (i.e., a model)
• Supported by a well-working application (i.e., a notebook)
• Ready to be upscaled for market uptake

Roadmap for user uptake: The “proof of concept” is:

• Clearly outlined over a period of 3-6 months
• Identifies clear and effective ways of ensuring outreach for the solution
• Its execution is realistic/achievable in the timeframe proposed, with the monetary resources provided by the Award

Quality of video-pitch

SECOND ROUND OF EVALUATION (TOTAL OF 50 POINTS):

The second round of evaluation will take place “live” during the Pitching & Award Event, as follows:

At 16:00 – CET on 30 March, the video pitches of the teams that scored higher after the first round of evaluation (up to 10 Teams) will be played during a live event. The Teams must make themselves available during the Live Event to respond to questions from the Jury. After the questions session, the Jury will deliberate to assign UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 50 POINTS to each Team.

5 extra points will be given to teams that have at least one student on their team.

Furthermore, up to 5 points will be given to teams who fill and submit the template for the EMODnet Use Cases.

Once all the points are assigned, the Jury will appoint the rankings for the first 3 Teams that scored higher and that therefore will be eligible for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Awards, respectively.

 

PRIZES

The three (3) winning teams – a maximum of three (3) members of each team- will be invited to the European Maritime Day 2023 held in Brest/ France from 24-25 May 2023 to showcase and present their solutions.

The travel costs from/to a location in Europe to/from Brest/ France and accommodation in Brest for up to three (3) nights will be covered for a maximum of three (3) members from each Winning Team (the “Prize”). Accommodation will be booked in standard rooms, with single occupancy. Flights and railway tickets will be booked in economy class. No visa support will be provided.

The cash value of the travel and accommodation is estimated to be 5.000 EUR per team, for a grand total of 15.000 EUR.

Prizes must be accepted as awarded and are non-refundable or redeemable for cash.

Please note that the travel costs for a maximum of three (3) members from each Winning team will only be covered from/ to a location in Europe to/from Brest/ France. No visa support will be provided. The minimum age to participate is 18 years.

Employees of organisations that are co-organisers or collaborating entities of the Open Sea Lab 3.0  Hackathon can join a Team participating in the Hackathon, but they cannot be personally eligible to benefit from the prize(s) linked to an Award,

 

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Submissions must be provided in English. Submissions in other languages will not be accepted.

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Participants own their background knowledge which will be used during the Hackathon.

The Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon project organisers have the right to use the foreground knowledge generated during the Hackathon, with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

 

LIABILITY & LITIGATION

The Hackathon Partners are fully entitled to shorten, extend, modify or cancel the Hackathon in any manner it deems fit without incurring any liability to the Participants. The Hackathon Partners are fully entitled to disqualify a Participant or a team that does not abide by these Terms and Conditions or acts in any way deemed inappropriate by the Hackathon Partners.

The Hackathon Partners shall not be responsible, and assume no liability, for (i) lost, misdirected, or late submissions; (ii) electronic transmission errors; (iii) theft, destruction, change of, or unauthorized, access to submissions; (iv) technical problems, malfunctions or errors in the operation of any hardware or software which is necessary for the transmission of submissions or for the procedure of the Hackathon, including computer viruses and bugs, or for manipulations, unauthorized access, scams, overload of the Internet or a website or any combinations of these, nor for other causes not subject to the inspection by the Hackathon Partners and the respective subsidiaries and branches of the Hackathon Partners. In case any of the above should occur, the  Hackathon Partners retain the right, in its sole discretion, to adjust, change, postpone or cancel the Hackathon in any manner it deems fit, or to take any other action it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualifying any Participant who wrongfully causes any of the above to occur. The Hackathon Partners reserve all rights to recover damages and to take any resources that may be available to it against any such Participant.

Participants who are employees of a corporation, government agency, or academic institution are responsible for ensuring that their participation complies with any policies their respective corporation, agency or institution may have regarding participation in events such as the Hackathon. If the Hackathon Partners have reason to believe that a Participant violated any such internal policies, the Hackathon Partners reserve the right to prohibit the Participant from participating in the Hackathon. The Hackathon Partners assume no liability and are not responsible for any disputes arising between a Participant and his/her employer with respect to participation in the Hackathon.

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by, performed, and interpreted according to the law of Belgium, without regard to conflict or choice of law rules. The parties establish that for any future disputes relating to the interpretation, execution, or resolution of the agreements related to the Hackathon, the Court of Brussels will have exclusive jurisdiction.

All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Terms and Conditions, or the rights and obligations of the Participants and the Hackathon Partners in connection with the Hackathon, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Court of Brussels – Belgium.

 

PRIVACY

When participating in the Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon you accept and agree to the EMODnet privacy policy located here.

When registering on the event platform:

o Your personal data will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. 

o Your personal data will be processed to provide you with information about the Hackathon (before, during, and after) and to process your application for participation in the Hackathon.

Processors are GOPA Com. and Kreativdistrikt S.r.l, who will be responsible for producing, managing, and coordinating the platform and the event, facilitating communication with and interaction between participants/ mentor/judges.

o Both processors follow the PP of the Controller

o The data will be kept for as long as the participant will have an account on the hackathon platform. If the participant becomes inactive, the information will be deleted or anonymized within 24 months after his/her last user session and access will be restricted on a ‘need-to-see’ basis

The personal data processed during the conduction of the Hackathon will not be shared outside the European Union. In the unlikely event that a data transfer to third parties servers will be necessary, standard data protection clauses issued by the European Commission are applied for the transfer of personal data to processors established in third countries.

 

GENERAL

The Hackathon Partners reserve the right to verify the validity of submissions, as well as their compliance with these Terms and Conditions, and to disqualify any Participant who interferes in any way with the entry process or who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The Hackathon Partners will not accept any late or misdirected submissions. The Hackathon Partners reserve the right to cancel the Hackathon and/or cancel or amend the awards if it deems in its sole discretion that there is an insufficient number of participants.

Disqualification of any participant who the Hackathon Partners have reason to believe has breached any of these Terms and Conditions or has engaged in any unlawful or other improper conduct shall be at the Hackathon Partners’ sole discretion. The Hackathon Partners’ decision in relation to any and all aspects of the Hackathon is final and binding on every Participant and there shall be no appeal or review process for any such decision.

The Hackathon Partners are not responsible for (i) any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer or online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, or any technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or any website, delay or error in postal service, or any combination thereof; (ii) any incorrect or inaccurate information caused by any equipment or programming associated with, or used in, this Hackathon, or any technical error, including any omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, mobile or satellite network failure, theft, destruction, unauthorized access or alteration of entries, or any combination thereof. The Hackathon Partners assume no liability and are not responsible for any injury or damage to a participant’s or any other person’s electronic device resulting from participation in this Hackathon or downloading any data as part thereof. In the event of war, terrorism, economic sanctions, riots, fires, natural disaster, or any other state of emergency or act of God, the Organiser reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Hackathon or take any other action it deems fit with respect to the Hackathon without any liability.

 

CONTACT

opensealab@emodnet.eu

 

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

The winners of the Hackathon will be announced at the end of the live Pitching & Award Live Event on 30th March 2023.

 

CHANGE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Hackathon Partners reserve the right to change these Terms and Conditions and to add and/or remove any provisions from these Terms and Conditions at any time (including before and during the Hackathon), for any reason and in any manner it deems fit.