HI-EURECA-PRO
Hackathon for Mining Heritage Innovation
- 29 June - 4 July 2026
- Petrosani, Romania
- Host: University of Petrosani
- Language: English | ECTS
About the hackathon
The Hackathon for Mining Heritage Innovation is designed as a Project-Based Learning experience in which participants work in international teams to develop creative and practical solutions for the future of mining heritage.
The activity focuses on the transformation of mining heritage into sustainable and innovative assets by addressing real-world challenges related to abandoned mines, industrial tourism, community engagement, renewable energy, digital transformation and ecosystem restoration.
Participants will combine interdisciplinary knowledge, field observations, teamwork and design thinking in order to propose innovative solutions inspired by the mining heritage of the Jiu Valley.
Key information
Physical mobility
29 June - 4 July 2026
Main language:
English
Virtual component
22 June - 31 July
ECTS
3 ECTS
Location
Petrosani, Romania
Format
Blended intensive programme
Host university
University of Petrosani
Participants
Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral students, together with academic staff
Travel & Accommodation Guide
Participants travelling to Petroșani can consult the dedicated Travel & Accommodation Guide prepared for the Hackathon for Mining Heritage Innovation.
The guide includes practical information on how to reach Petroșani from major airport gateways, estimated travel times and costs, railway and coach options, as well as accommodation possibilities near the University of Petrosani campus.
Travel options
Routes & airport connections
Transport information
Train, bus & transfer details
Accommodation
Options near the campus
Practical tips
Useful information for your stay
UPET_Travel_Accommodation_Guide_2026.pdf
Main objectives
The hackathon aims to encourage innovative approaches to mining heritage by connecting education, sustainability, digital tools and community-oriented thinking.
Promote interdisciplinary and multicultural teamwork
Explore sustainable uses of former and active mining areas
Support the valorisation of mining and industrial heritage
Encourage the use of digital tools and AI-assisted visualisation
Connect academic knowledge with real regional challenges
Develop creative proposals for the future of post-industrial landscapes
Through this activity, mining heritage is approached not only as a historical legacy, but also as a resource for education, tourism, innovation and sustainable regional development.
Challenge areas
Tourism of abandoned mining sites
Developing sustainable tourism strategies for closed mines and post-industrial heritage locations.
Promotion of unknown mining sites
Increasing the visibility of lesser-known mining and industrial heritage sites at local, regional and international level.
Community engagement in mining areas
Designing heritage-based initiatives that involve local communities and strengthen regional identity.
Renewable energy at active mine sites
Exploring how green energy solutions can be integrated into mining operations and related infrastructures.
Ecosystem restoration of abandoned mining sites
Proposing ecological recovery strategies for post-industrial landscapes affected by mining activities.
Through the Hackathon for Mining Heritage Innovation, HI-EURECA-PRO continues to support interdisciplinary education, international cooperation and innovation-driven approaches to heritage. Hosted in Petroșani, the activity highlights the potential of mining regions to become living laboratories for sustainability, digital transformation and responsible regional development.
Learning aproach
Online preparation
Before the physical mobility, participants will join online sessions and activities covering:
- Effective presentations and public speaking
- Project-Based Learning methods
- Multicultural teamwork
- Digital transformation
- AI ethics and responsible innovation
- AI-driven graphic generation
- Advanced materials
- Mining heritage history and sustainability
Physical mobility
During the mobility week in Petroșani, participants will engage in:
- Interactive workshops with experts
- Team-based innovation sessions
- Field visits to mining heritage and industrial sites in the Petroșani area
- Solution development and prototyping
- Final presentations and awards
Field context
Learning will be grounded in real mining heritage settings and professional contexts:
- Petrila Mine site (heritage and tourism)
- Livezeni Mine (active mining operations)
- Other industrial and cultural heritage locations in the Jiu Valley
- Safety, environment and industrial transformation perspectives
Final output
The hackathon will culminate in a final creative output: a media proposal designed to support regional managers, policymakers and stakeholders in understanding new possibilities for mining heritage innovation. Inspired by field visits and teamwork, each group will transform its observations into a visual narrative addressing a real mining heritage challenge. The final proposals will highlight how heritage, sustainability, technology and regional development can be connected in practical and creative ways.
Organising institutions
Romania
Spain
Greece
Poland