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The concept
The Social Hackathon is a two-day creative sprint that brings together young people, international students, migrants, and local stakeholders from business and governmental sectors to design innovative solutions for real challenges in Thuringia. Guided by the Design Thinking methodology, participants move from understanding problems to brainstorming, prototyping, and pitching fresh ideas.
Challenge #1
Local Inclusion of Migrant Talents
Migrants in Thuringia are underrepresented in public institutions, the business sector, and cultural associations, and on average earn less than Germans. Language barriers and the lack of recognition or certification of professional qualifications obtained abroad are often cited as hurdles. In addition, skilled migrants - including many who graduate from universities in Thuringia - tend to leave the region in search of better-paid jobs, which raises the question of whether there are enough attractive opportunities locally. How can we overcome these barriers to meaningfully include migrant talents in Thuringia and connect them with opportunities for work, entrepreneurship, and leisure activities?
Challenge #2
Opportunities for Young People in Thuringia
With an aging population and persistent outmigration, Thuringia is often seen as offering few prospects for young people. Yet the reality is more nuanced: local businesses are searching for successors, new jobs and apprenticeships are available, and innovative projects exist. Still, these opportunities are often poorly communicated, perceived as outdated, or mismatched with the aspirations of youth. How might we make existing opportunities in Thuringia more visible, accessible, and attractive for young people, so they can imagine and build their future in the region?
⚠️ Challenge Alert ⚠️
Why?
Our aim is to connect diverse perspectives, empower participants to explore their creativity, and build practical solutions that strengthen inclusion, opportunity, and community life in Thuringia.
Beyond the weekend, the hackathon also serves as a launchpad for a broader social entrepreneurship program, starting in October 2025, where promising concepts can be further developed and supported.
Program
September 27th | Saturday
10:00 – 11:00 | Registration & Arrival
Participants check in, settle into the venue, and get an introduction to the space.
September 28th | Sunday
08:30 – 09:30 | Shared Breakfast
Coming together in the morning for a check-up and healthy nutrition intake for the day.
11:00 – 11:15 | Welcome Session
Brief opening remarks, overview of the hackathon process, and setting the tone for collaboration.
09:30 – 11:00 | Pitching Workshop & Preparation
A short training on effective pitching, followed by time for teams to finalize their presentations.
11:15 – 12:00 | Expert Session: Social Entrepreneurship
An interactive talk by a guest expert on key principles of social entrepreneurship and impact innovation.
12:15 – 12:45 | Human bingo Exercise
An energizing activity to explore participants’ background and experiences, creating a sense of openness and shared learning.
12:00 – 12:15 | Coffee Break ☕️
11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break ☕️
11:30 – 13:00 | Final Presentations & Pitching
Teams present their solutions to peers, mentors, and an expert committee for feedback and recognition.
13:00 – 13:30 | Closing Session
Reflection, key takeaways, and next steps, with a look ahead to the broader social entrepreneurship program – Social Impulse Academy – starting in October 2025.
12:45 – 13:30 | Design Thinking Kick-Off: Challenges Presentation
Two real-life challenges are introduced to participants by invited speakers. With guidance from the experts, participants begin by exploring the perspective of the people most affected — their needs, barriers, and lived context — to build a shared understanding before moving on to problem definition.
13:30 – 14:30 | Lunch 🥗
14:30 – 15:00 | Goodbyes
Final meal together, informal networking, and farewells.
13:30 – 14:30 | Lunch 🥗
14:30 – 16:00 | Problem-Solving Session I
Teams dive into their chosen challenge using design thinking tools to analyze root causes, map stakeholders, and brainstorm ideas.
16:00 – 16:30 | Coffee Break ☕️ & TALK WITH a FOUNDER
While enjoying coffee, participants will meet a founder from Erfurt who is planning to open the city’s first Uzbek bistro – a unique addition that brings cultural diversity into the local entrepreneurial landscape.
16:30 – 16:45 | Check-in with the moderators
Brief exchange with moderators to reflect on progress, receive guidance, and prepare for the next steps.
16:45 – 18:30 | Problem-Solving Session II
Teams continue shaping their ideas, transforming initial concepts into concrete solution prototypes.
18:30 – 19:00 | Peer-to-peer feedback
As part of the design-thinking process, participants will share their prototypes and ideas, receiving constructive peer-to-peer feedback to refine solutions and spark new perspectives.
19:00 – 20:30 | Shared Dinner 🍲
20:30 – 24:00 | Evening Social: Open Mic
A relaxed gathering with music, open-mic contributions, and casual conversations. Teams are welcome to keep working on their projects in a creative evening atmosphere.
Organisers & Supporters
Leading organisations who are behind the Social Hackathon
Let's build this up together!
We are currently looking for cooperation partners and sponsorships that align with the values of the event and help us make Thuringia’s potential more visible. This collaboration would give participants the chance to learn about the region’s diverse business sector, discover entrepreneurial journeys, and hear inspiring stories from local founders. As part of the evening program, we also plan a storytelling session, where local founders can share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned — perfectly in tune with the hackathon spirit.
🌟 Sponsorship Benefits
- Visibility for your company/brand/institution.
- Be an inspiration for young generations of entrepreneurs.
- Networking – connect with various actors & groups.
- Join the expert committee on 28 Sept. to give feedback on team ideas.
Get in touch
You are interested to contribute? Send a quick email to info[at]cge-erfurt.org and we will come back to you.
connect with us
Location
Ernst-Kohl-Straße 23,
99423 Weimar
Accessibility
The event site doesn’t have fully accessible premises.