Turning Data, AI and Sustainability into Real-World Solutions

On 28-29 April 2026, Campus Varberg brought together students from Sweden, Denmark and Norway for an international hackathon focused on sustainability, data and artificial intelligence. The event was organised as part of the Work Without Borders project and aimed to strengthen collaboration between international students, educational institutions and businesses across national borders.

The hackathon was the largest ever organised by Campus Varberg and was delivered in partnership with the Swedish technology companies Icons Of and Qlok. Both companies contributed industry expertise, technical support and participation in the final jury.

A total of 46 students registered for the event, with 34 actively participating over the two days. Participants represented several partner institutions, including Campus Varberg, Halmstad University, Aarhus University and University of Agder, creating a truly international and cross-border learning environment.

A Real Business Challenge from Industry

This year's challenge was provided by Icons Of, a technology company that works with data-driven solutions to support more sustainable decision-making and business development. Students were challenged to use coding, data analysis and AI to develop innovative concepts capable of making sustainability-related information more accessible and actionable.

Working in teams, participants analysed datasets, developed concepts, built prototypes and prepared presentations within an intensive two-day format. The event concluded with project pitches to a jury of company representatives, giving students valuable feedback from industry professionals.

Several teams explored how environmental and sustainability data can be transformed into practical digital tools. One of the winning concepts focused on combining weather and environmental data to help users better understand pollution levels and environmental conditions in different areas.

Learning Through International Collaboration

One of the strongest outcomes of the hackathon was the opportunity for students to work in international and interdisciplinary teams. Participants brought different educational backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to the challenge, creating an environment that encouraged creativity, problem-solving and intercultural learning.

According to the post-event evaluation, participants rated the experience highly and particularly appreciated the opportunity to work with a real-life business case, collaborate with students from other countries and engage directly with industry representatives. Networking opportunities and the interactive format were also highlighted as key strengths of the event.

Supporting the Work Without Borders Mission

The hackathon directly reflects one of the core ambitions of Work Without Borders: building stronger connections between international talent and the Scandinavian labour market. The project works to develop and test methods that help international students and graduates gain access to employment opportunities while supporting employers in attracting and integrating international talent.

By bringing together students, universities and businesses around a shared challenge, the activity strengthened cross-border collaboration, enhanced participants' practical competencies and created valuable links between academia and industry. The evaluation found that the hackathon format is an effective way of supporting these objectives while creating meaningful learning experiences for participants.

Lessons for Future Activities

The event also generated valuable insights for future Work Without Borders activities. Organisers highlighted the importance of detailed planning, clear communication and flexibility when delivering international events involving multiple partners and countries. These lessons will help inform future project activities and contribute to the development of transferable methods for retaining international talent across Scandinavia.

By combining innovation, sustainability and international collaboration, the hackathon demonstrated how cross-border activities can create benefits for students, businesses and regional labour markets alike. It represents another important step towards the Work Without Borders vision of strengthening talent retention and supporting a more connected Scandinavian labour market.