SDI4Apps in addition to the content and functionality contribution created via SDI4Apps platform aims also to support existing and stimulate development of the new communities of the developers and stakeholders interesting in the uptake of open geographic information through innovative services. with that in mind DanubeHack event, took place from to 17th of October 2015 in the Impact Hub Co-working centre in Bratislava (Slovakia) .
DanubeHack (Danube Open (Geo) Data Hackathon & Developers’ Workshops) was informal, but trustable event with main ambition to create the space where people can present what can be done with the open (where relevant geo) data resources, technologies, ideas and knowledge. Another even more important dimension of this event was the willingness to provide also space where people representing various types of stakeholders (from producers to the users) can meet and exchange their experience and knowledge.
Based on that, the event was running in two parallel sessions, where the Hackathon part was dedicated to the coding and development of new apps, services or data resources based on the list of identified possible resources (Data, Catalogues and Tools). Second part was dedicated to the Workshops, which were defined by the organizers together with the proposals received from participants, including the “Open (Geo) Data in my country” panel session. Workshops presented latest data and technology resources, examples of successful Open Data projects, practical guidelines how to present open data projects, or data sharing related presentation with interesting discussions.
This public event was foreseen as initial opportunity to present the SDI4Apps platform to the wider communities of external developers and other stakeholders as well as use some components in few projects. In addition DanubeHack created the possibility for SDI4Apps project team to network and establish the new contacts as well as learn about the other relevant open data and technology resources.
During the 3 days, 71 participants created unique environment delivering significant amount of data and technology resources which were used to support set of interesting and promising ideas. Out of 14 ideas introduced on the beginning of the Hackathon, 9 projects managed to present their results after two days of intensive work. The best 3 projects were selected by the jury members and awarded with the prizes provided by the set of contributors for the prizes. Many innovative ideas were presented and the winner received €1500 and a virtual server for a year to help to continue the work that seeks to turn unused land in the Bratislava region into productive farmland.
Some Hackathon outcomes comes with the chance for the further development and offer provided by the European commission Joint Research Centre for the winning project gives promising opportunity to improve the quality of the underlying apps for another dimension in connection to the activities related to the Danube strategy implementation.
Martin excelent work