Centre of Climate and Environment Protection

Metropolitan Climathon 2022. A race of ideas how to reduce waste and reuse the waste. Everything for the sake of the climate.

Registration for the third edition of Metropolitan Climathon 2022, which will start on October 27, has started. Climathon is a 24-hour creativity race held concurrently in over 100 cities around the world. During the metropolitan event, participants will look for solutions on how, in the interests of climate protection, we can "produce" less waste and reuse the ones that have already been created, giving them a second life. The authors of the best idea will receive a main prize of PLN 10,000 and prizes in kind. This year, the event is aimed at students of all universities. Specialist knowledge or programming skills are not a necessity. Details below.

In a finite system like our planet, infinite growth is not possible - and its limits will be determined by the availability of raw materials. Today, climate change has become such a border for us. The circular economy is one of the answers to these challenges.
In a closed circuit, the end of a product's life is also the beginning of the life of a new product or service. All materials are consumed, their added value is maximized. Waste is completely eliminated. The need to extract new raw materials is also eliminated. There is no waste in circular economy - only raw materials.
Therefore, issues related to rational waste management and the rational use of goods will be the topics of the second edition of the Metropolitan Climathon.

What is Climathon? This event is a 24-hour competition, during which participants, in cooperation with invited experts, develop proposals for solutions to protect the climate. During the Climathon, every creative idea has a chance to win, which will propose an interesting and modern approach to topics related to global climate challenges, and this year - recycling and circular economy.

Who is the 3rd Metropolitan Climathon 2022 for? Anyone who has the status of a 1st and / or 2nd degree student of studies, students of postgraduate studies and doctoral studies of universities operating in Poland, conducted in any mode, can apply. In a word: anyone who has an idea related to the topic of "Circular economy" can participate in Climathon. Recycling in the city. Zero waste metropolis. " The organizers are not looking for complicated solutions related to e.g. the development of an advanced mobile application or the installation of expensive devices. Even a simple educational concept of how to encourage oneself and people from the closest environment to change our everyday habits in order to protect the climate may win. Registration for the event is open until October 21.

What do you need to know? To participate in Climathon, you do not need to have specialist knowledge related to recycling or closed-loop management. All you need is an open mind and the desire to create non-standard ideas. During the event, participants will receive the support of the organizers and the inspiration of mentors and experts.
What does a circular economy mean? A circular economy is a production and consumption model that involves sharing, borrowing, reusing, repairing, renewing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of the products is extended. In practice, this means reducing waste to a minimum. When a product reaches the end of its life cycle, its raw materials and waste should remain in the economy. They can be successfully reused, thus creating additional value.

This approach contrasts with the traditional linear economic model, which is based on a take-produce-use-throw away pattern.

How can I apply to Climathon? Just go to www.climathon.pl and find the registration form and fill in all the fields. Feedback should appear by October 25.

In what formula will Climathon take place? The 3rd Metropolitan Climathon will be held on-site on October 27-28, Center of New Technologies in Gliwice, we also allow on-line participation.

What times will it be held? Climathon starts on October 27 at 13:00, it will end on October 28 at 15:00.

What can you win? There are prizes for the most interesting ideas:
a. First prize: PLN 10,000
b. Second prize: PLN 5,000
c. 3rd prize PLN 3,000
And other gifts from the organizers and partners of the event.

The first Metropolitan Climathon took place in 2020, then the main theme was: "Metropolis in the era of climate warming - water retention and drought prevention" (CLIMATHON 2020).
Last year's Climathon was held under the slogan "Energy in the City - Energy Efficient Metropolis" (CLIMATHON 2021). The participants looked for solutions for more effective and economical use of energy in cities.

The 3rd Metropolitan Climathon is organized by the Górnośląsko-Zagłębie Metropolis together with the Fortis pro Nobis Foundation under the auspices of EIT Climate-KIC.
We invite you to participate!

More information at www.climathon.pl and www.climathon.climate-kic.org