About

UN Datathon 2024 will challenge participants to localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the city level, with a focus on Medellín, Colombia. Set against the Summit of the Future, the event centers on urban sustainable development, addressing three critical themes: Sustainable Tourism, Urban Waste Management, and Circular Economy. Teams will develop innovative, data-driven solutions that strike a balance between economic growth, environmental preservation, and community well-being. Participants will have access to a wide range of local and national datasets from Medellín’s Planning Department, DANE, and other sources, helping them craft impactful solutions tailored to the city’s needs.

Throughout the competition, teams will work on creating interactive dashboards, data visualizations, APIs, and maps that offer actionable insights for city planners and policymakers. The goal is to develop tools that integrate data across sectors, revealing synergies and trade-offs in urban sustainability. By addressing real-world challenges, participants will propose practical solutions that promote data-driven decision-making and inspire new urban public services and innovative approaches to sustainable living.

The Datathon includes a preparatory phase with e-learning modules and webinars, followed by an in-person hacking event in Medellín. This hands-on stage emphasizes team collaboration, direct mentoring, and cross-team knowledge sharing, culminating in the delivery of creative, original solutions. Ultimately, the Datathon aims to showcase how localizing SDGs can foster resilient, inclusive cities and demonstrate how Medellín’s strategies can serve as blueprints for sustainable urban development globally.