Mobility Hackathons are an innovative, challenge-based learning format originally developed at Vrije Universiteit Brussel to support sustainability-driven innovation in mobility and logistics.
They are designed for master’s students in fields such as management, business engineering and planning, and can be organised as in-person, online or hybrid activities. This flexibility was demonstrated during the International Mobility Hackathon organised in 2023 within the EUROPIA University Network.
The hackathon functions as a compact living lab in which students work on real-world mobility challenges. Participants are required to anticipate environmental, social and economic impacts and to explain how their ideas contribute to sustainability, equality and social cohesion. By combining academic insight with applied problem-solving, Mobility Hackathons help translate research and education into feasible interventions for more inclusive and sustainable mobility systems.
Responsible, inclusive and collaborative innovation
Mobility Hackathons are explicitly designed to operationalise the principles of Open and Responsible Research & Innovation (ORRI), with a strong focus on justice, inclusion and participation. Challenges often address accessibility and the needs of vulnerable or underrepresented groups, encouraging teams to engage with issues that are frequently overlooked by market-driven solutions. Participants are prompted to consider different territorial, social and socio-economic contexts when developing their concepts.
The methodology integrates both quantitative and qualitative evidence, including problem data, benchmarks, user input and references to existing research and practice. Students are guided to engage with affected users and stakeholders and to co-create solutions with actors from academia, civil society, industry and the public sector, reflecting the quadruple helix model of innovation. This approach strengthens transparency, legitimacy and accountability in how mobility solutions are developed and assessed.
The hackathon process: four connected sessions
Session 1 – Kick-off & challenge definition
The hackathon starts with a kick-off session in which participants get to know each other and explore the real-world mobility challenge at hand. Teams map key stakeholders and user journeys and jointly define a clear “How might we…?” question that guides the rest of the process. The session concludes with an initial round of idea generation, allowing teams to explore multiple solution directions before narrowing their focus.
Session 2 – Solution development
During the solution development session, teams select one idea to take forward and conduct targeted research. This includes engaging with users, analysing data, reviewing relevant literature and scanning
existing solutions. Teams then structure their concept using the Flourishing Business Model Canvas, which frames mobility solutions as living systems embedded in environmental, social and economic contexts. This helps teams articulate how their ideas create environmental, social and economic value in line with principles of strong sustainability.
Session 3 – Refine & prepare the pitch
The third session focuses on refining the solution and preparing the final pitch. Teams strengthen the evidence behind their concept, clarify the impact logic and develop a clear and convincing narrative supported by visual materials. Throughout this phase, participants receive structured feedback, enabling them to improve the clarity, feasibility and overall impact of their proposal.
Session 4 – Final evaluation
The hackathon concludes with a final evaluation session in which teams present their solutions to an external jury. Concepts are assessed against three core criteria, each guided by explicit evaluation questions:
Sustainability: How does the idea positively impact societal, environmental and economic issues?
Innovation and originality: How different is the idea from solutions that are already available locally and globally?
Feasibility: How likely is the idea to sustain itself and grow over time?
This final step reinforces learning outcomes related to systems thinking, collaborative design and the translation of academic knowledge into actionable, real-world mobility solutions.
Interested in implementing a Mobility Hackathon in your programme or project?
Get in touch with the Mobilise team via info.mobilise@vub.be to explore collaboration opportunities.