PHAROS Plastic Fantastic Hackathon: Bootcamp

The Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Bootcamp (11-13 May 2026) is an online innovation challenge where teams come together to design actionable solutions for the detection, collection, prevention, and valorisation of marine litter.

The Hackathon is part of PHAROS, an EU-funded project that aims to provide nature-based solutions for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity while addressing climate change and human impacts in the Atlantic and Arctic maritime regions.

The Challenge

Let’s design and develop solutions to pollution.

The contamination of oceans, seas, and coastal ecosystems by plastics, chemicals, waste, and other human-derived debris is threatening ecosystems and biodiversity, human health, and the sustainability of marine resources. PHAROS is seeking solutions that address this challenge through:

Detection and monitoring
Methods and tools to identify, track, and assess marine litter sources, distribution, and impacts.

Collection and valorisation
Efficient systems to remove marine litter and transform recovered materials into valuable resources through reuse, recycling, or upcycling.

Reduction and prevention
Strategies, products, and policies that prevent marine litter at its source and reduce its generation across value chains.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone with ideas, motivation, or projects to protect our oceans is welcome! Citizens, students, startups, young professionals, associations, NGOs, and early-stage companies are all invited to join.

Two different tracks:

Track A – Idea Stage
For individuals or teams with early-stage concepts who want to refine, develop, and structure their solution.

Track B – Emerging Organisations*
For recently established companies or small non-profit organisations looking to strengthen, scale, or further develop their existing solution.

*Only for-profit organisations with fewer than 5 years in operation and non-profit organisations with fewer than 5 FTEs are eligible to participate.

Bootcamp Agenda

Day 1 – 11 May

• 17:00–17:30 CET – Welcome and presentation
  Welcome and introduction to the PHAROS project, the Plastic Fantastic Hackathon, and participant projects.

• 17:30–19:00 CET – Business modelling masterclass
  #Learn
  Two parallel sessions for participants:

  • Track A: Social Business Model Canvas

  • Track B: Your Business Model in 10 Slides

• 19:00–19:30 CET – Closure

Day 2 – 12 May

• 17:00–17:30 CET – Welcome and icebreaker

• 17:30–19:00 CET – Pitching masterclass
  #Learn
  How to create a pitch that makes an impact and engages your audience.

• 19:00–19:30 CET – Meet the changemakers
  #Inspire
  Presentation of successfully established initiatives.

Day 3 – 13 May

• 17:00–17:30 CET – Welcome and inspirational talk
  #Inspire
  The Future of Our Seas: Introduction to Marine Environmental Challenges

• 17:30–19:00 CET – Pitching session
  Pitching competition for a spot in the Hackathon Days

• 19:00–19:30 CET – Closure

Key Dates for the Plastic Fantastic Hackathon Series

• Ideation Workshop: 15 April

• Bootcamp: 11–13 May

• Hackathon: 18–19 May