At Re-Think a Hackathon in search of circular solutions

There are just a few weeks left to ‘Re-think – Circular Economy Forum’, which will be held for the second time in Taranto on 3, 4 and 5 October, in the spaces of the Ionian Department of the University of Bari. hybrid, in presence and remotely, also for the Hackathon which is being organized in parallel with the conference part and which will be held on 3 and 4 October in collaboration with Eni through Joule, its business school. “Joule supports Eni’s business functions in various Italian territories to support environmental protection projects and development of the territory, encouraging the growth of innovative and sustainable startups – explains Mattia Voltaggio, Head of Joule, Eni’s school for enterprise – In particular, our participation in Re-think – Circular Economy Forum focuses on the areas of port innovation and blue economy, which have always been important issues for Eni in the context of zeroing in scope 3 emissions “. The Hackathon has been designed for all students, recent graduates and doctoral students of Apulian universities who want to get involved by implementing and perfecting their skills and knowledge for the development of circular solutions (the deadline for registration is 25 September). In particular, there will be four challenges on which the teams, which can be composed of a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 5 members, will compete: Digital and circular ports proposed by Eni through Joule, its business school; Sustainable ports proposed by the Ionian Sea Port System Authority; Regenerative and circular agriculture proposed by Cantine San Marzano; Ecosystem protection proposed by Renexia. “Re-think Taranto represents an opportunity for discussion to become aware of how circularity must permeate the strategies and guide the performance of all socio-economic operators – says Sergio Prete, president of Taranto Port System Authority – The port reality can contribute, through synergies with and among its stakeholders, to the closure of the flow of materials and energy resources, thus marking the transition from linearity to circularity of its processes “. The team that is the overall winner will receive a voucher of 2,000 euros as a prize, and other awards may be offered by the proposing companies. To find out more, a presentation webinar will be held on 15 September at 5.00 pm open to interested people. “For UniCredit it is essential to promote the sustainable transition of companies in the country and in the South, as well as supporting, with specific initiatives, youth entrepreneurship and start-ups in the territory – explains Ferdinando Natali, manager for the South of UniCredit Italy – For this reason UniCredit has decided to be alongside the Re-think – Circular Economy Forum of Taranto again this year, the initiative aimed at stimulating the birth of innovative and entrepreneurial activities in the local area, in line with the bank’s commitment to support, with financing instruments and dedicated initiatives, the competitiveness of the Southern productive system “. The partner universities of the Hackathon are: University of Bari Aldo Moro, Polytechnic of Bari, University of Foggia, University of Salento and University of Lum. “The challenge of the Hackathon proposed by ‘Re-think – Circular Economy Forum’ after the success achieved last year – remarks Roberto Palasciano, president of Confapi Industria Taranto – is a new great opportunity for young people who want to test their talent in the conception and development of an innovative project or an advanced solution. The possibility of networking with specialists in the sector, in a continuous contamination of knowledge, learning and collaboration, sharing ideas and visions, makes them aware that they can be protagonists of change “. Furthermore, on the occasion of this second edition to be held in Taranto, an exhibition area will also be set up where companies, startups, research institutions and academic institutes will present the projects they are carrying out to the participating public on site, with the aim to provide more ideas for future collaborations at a micro and macro territorial level. The event is organized by Tondo in collaboration with Eurota Ets and has Eni as Main Partner. Additional partners of the event are: Puglia Region, Municipality of Taranto, UniCredit, Confapi Industria Taranto, Embassy of the Netherlands in Rome, Its Logistica Puglia Foundation, NewEuroart, Adnkronos and Il Tacco di Bacco as media partner, Cantine San Marzano as technical partner and Smallfish as a graphic partner.