Plastic Fantastic Hackathon / PHAROS Program

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.

We are 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 invited to join.

Participation 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.

*Eligible participants:

• For-profit organisations with less than 5 years of operation

• Non-profit organisations with fewer than 5 full-time employees (FTEs)

What Can You Win?

Four winning teams (two per track) will receive:

Cash Prizes (€10,000 total)

• Track A: €3,000 (1st place) and €1,000 (2nd place)

• Track B: €4,000 (1st place) and €2,000 (2nd place)

Three-Month Acceleration Programme

Bring your idea to the next level through a curated capacity-building programme delivered by Impact Hub Athens.

Key Information

• Registrations open until: April 27th (17:00 CET)