EPOKA University has placed innovation and sustainability at the heart of its mission by hosting the Sustain4Future Hackathon, an intensive two-day challenge (17-18 September 2025) that brought together students from the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering, the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, and Tung Ideve Alumni. The initiative formed part of the EU-funded Sustain4Future project under the Start for Future alliance, supported by the EIT Higher Education Initiative and EIT Urban Mobility, which connects universities across Europe to foster sustainable entrepreneurship and prepare young people to tackle pressing global challenges.

Over the course of two days, facilitated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alba Kruja, Dr. Vilma Cekani, Dr. Besjon Zenelaj, and PhD cand. Anisa Isufi, participants engaged in a dynamic program that combined creativity with entrepreneurial skills. Using tools such as Design Thinking, Lego® Serious Play®, and Lean Canvas, interdisciplinary teams comprising engineering, business informatics, and law students transformed initial concepts into structured solutions with potential for real-world application. The collaborative format encouraged students to merge technical knowledge, legal reasoning, and business insight to generate ideas that are both innovative and feasible.

The final pitches demonstrated the strength of this interdisciplinary approach. EcoRoute presented a web application designed to measure individuals’ carbon footprint and track daily waste generation, while also offering features that suggest the most eco‑friendly travel routes. Trash2Treasure proposed a gamified recycling model that turns waste into rewards through smart bins connected to a mobile app. Tirana Flow introduced a platform that empowers citizens by mapping neighborhood water availability in real time and sending predictive alerts, providing data‑driven tools for sustainable urban living.

The hackathon marked the successful completion of its first phase. The participating teams have now registered on the Start For Future (SFF) platform. 

By hosting this event, EPOKA University reaffirmed its role as an active partner in the Sustain4Future consortium and as a regional hub for sustainable innovation. The enthusiasm and commitment displayed during the hackathon confirmed that EPOKA students are not only prepared to imagine a greener future but are also determined to take concrete steps to build it.