ECIU University Creathon - Build the digital city of tomorrow

Welcome to Linköping on the 13-15 May 2024!

About the ECIU University Creathon

Join the ECIU University Creathon 2024 on Campus Valla at Linköping University in Sweden!

Digital services are one of the key areas of rapid development in the public sector, creating many opportunities for improvement, but also posing serious challenges when it comes to inclusivity, accessibility, outreach, security and quality of service. Cities that aspire to provide an attractive and high-quality living environment to their residents, have to stay at the forefront of this development, take advantage of the opportunities and tackle the challenges. Linköping (Sweden) and Enschede (Netherlands) are these cities!

The cities of Linköping and Enschede have close and longstanding cooperation based on common projects on a variety of issues and areas of interest. Now they have joined forces to provide challenges for the ECIU University Creathon 2024 on Campus Valla, Linköping University in Sweden. Be part of this, help us build the digital city of tomorrow and make the lives of the residents of Linköping and Enschede better.

The ECIU University Creathon 2024 is a three-day event between 13 - 15 May 2024 that will give you the chance to learn, create, innovate, and meet students from all ECIU universities. We are also preparing activities that will give you the opportunity to meet local entrepreneurs and start-up representatives. Check the programme and sign up! See you in Linköping in May!

The challenges - the digital services of the future

Challenge 1:

How do the municipalities of Linköping and Enschede implement digital services to their citizens? In this rapid wave of technological change, businesses and companies have made great strides in offering access to digital solutions. The expectations of our residents for seamless and effective digital services are growing and hence, we need to become better at using the opportunities of digitalisation and technological development to create a higher level of service for our residents and society. In this challenge, we want participants to start with what they themselves see as exciting solutions that would give them the best digital services, for example in areas such as transportation, child care, building permits, public libraries, or city maintenance. How can we make specific life events, such as having a baby, getting married, or starting a business, as easy as possible for the citizens to know what to do and how to get the support they need?

Challenge 2:

How do we as a government, ensure that our digital services are accessible and valuable for young residents, under 30 years old? At the heart of the second challenge will be the particular needs of this younger age demographic. Digital solutions are particularly important to this age group and the governments of Linköping and Enschede have a lot of difficulty reaching young people, despite the fact that they are fully active in the digital world; they play games, use TikTok, BeReal, and Instagram, but they tend to lose interest as soon as communication becomes more formal. How do we reach them and how will the needs and expectations of young residents change in the longer term with new innovations in AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality? What support can governments provide to help them through major changes in their lives, such as turning 18 or getting a first job. And how can we involve young people in the future developments of our digital services?

Programme, practical information, and contact

As we approach the start of the Creathon, more details regarding the programme, the venue and practical information will be shared on this page. Please keep checking regularly for updates that you will need for your trip and your stay in Linköping.

ECIU University Creathon programme

7 May: 17:30 -18:30 Online introduction session (link to be advised)

12 May: Arrival and welcome activity (time and place to be advised)

13 May: Day 1
09:00 - 09:30 Welcome by Linköping and Enschede cities
09:30 - 10:00 Presentation of the challenges
10:00 - 10:30 NABC, idea generation and simple diamond
10:30 - 12:00 Idea Jam
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
13:00 - 14:00 1 minute "take pitches"
14:00 - 17:00 Group work
18:00 - InnovEat - mingle with entrepreneurs and start-up representatives

14 May: Day 2
09:00 - 11:00 Group work
11:00 - 11:30 How to pitch
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch and mingle
12:00 - 13:00 Innovation Tuesday
13:00 - 17:00 Group work
13:00 - 17:00 Pitch training and feedback (available in parallel with group work)

15 May: Day 3
10:00 -12:00 Final presentations
12:00 -13:00 Solution fair, announcement of winner, lunch, departure

The programme has not yet been finalised and slight changes may occur. All updates will be published on this page.

Application and deadline

You apply through the ECIU platform Engage. All the application information, requirements, and selection criteria are published on the platform.
Link to Engage: Apply here

The deadline for applications is 25 March 2024. If you are offered a place in the Creathon, you have to accept your spot by 28 March. To do so you must log in to your ECIU account and actively accept your offer. If the offer expires, the place will be given to the next in line.

Travel grant

Please contact the ECIU mobility officer at your institution for more information regarding the application process for the grant if you are selected to participate in the Creathon.

Travel to and from Linköping

There are many ways to travel to Linköping. You can travel by plane, train, or bus. Read the article below to find a suitable option for you.
Read more: Planning your travel to LiU

Public transport in Linköping

Local public transport in Linköping and Norrköping is run by ÖstgötaTrafiken. On their website, you will find detailed information about tickets and timetables (the website is in Swedish, with the option to use Google Translate for information in other languages).

Read more: ÖstgötaTrafiken

Accommodation

Unfortunately, we cannot offer accommodation for the event, but there are options to consider when planning where to stay.

The first is to arrange accommodation yourself. Here you can find an extensive list of hotels, hostels and B&Bs in Linköping, but you can of course check other online booking sites too.

The second option is to book one of the rooms LiU has blocked at the Linköpings Cityhotell & Vandrarhem. The available rooms and prices are:

2 superior rooms with 3 beds each – 425SEK per night (6 people in total)
7 double rooms – 425SEK per night (14 people in total)
4 single rooms – 940SEK per night (4 people in total)
Breakfast is included

If you are interested in this option, please fill in this form by 17 April. After that, we will try to match you based on your preferences, place you in appropriate rooms and we will contact you with instructions regarding the booking on 18 April. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that there will be enough beds for everyone.

Meals

During your stay, you will receive the following meals free of charge:

Welcome dinner on the 12 May
Lunch and dinner on the 13 May
Lunch on the 14 May
Lunch on the 15 May