Join the National Hackathon Circular Economy 2026

Join us as a student, teacher, or host!

Get involved

Whether you’re a student ready to tackle real-world challenges, a teacher guiding your students, or a institution willing to host the Hackathon, the National Hackathon Circular Economy offers opportunities to get involved. Everyone can join in a way that suits them: some make the hackathon part of a project week, others make it part of a course, or an extracurricular challenge. Let us know what suits you best!

Educators & educational institutions

Become one of the hosts of the next NHCE! Anyone can participate in a way that suits you.

Sign up for example with (a group of students from) a minor, course, living lab, graduate students or another group of students. Or participate with your educational institution.  

Become a host! 

Become one of the hosts of the next NHCE! Anyone can participate in a way that suits you.

Sign up for example with (a group of students from) a minor, course, living lab, graduate students or another group of students. Or participate with your educational institution.  

As a host, you provide your students with the opportunity to contribute to real-world solutions for a circular economy, right from your campus. Teachers play a key role in guiding teams and making this hackathon week a success.

What do we ask from host institutions?

  • Recruit students, fellow educators, and coaches

  • Share key dates and information with participants and partners

  • Attend the online kick-off and the regional/national finals

  • Organize a regional final on Thursday afternoon (16:00–17:30)
    (Collaboration with other institutions in your region is encouraged, we’re happy to help make the match!)

  • Provide a contact point for student teams
    (You decide the level of guidance, from being available at fixed times daily to offering more intensive coaching)

  • Facilitate participation in a way that fits your educational practice and schedule

Students

Form a team, join workshops, and develop innovative solutions for circular challenges. Work with peers from MBO, HBO, and WO institutions across the Netherlands and pitch your ideas at the regional or Grande Finale.

Questions? Send us an email via dianne.defijter@hetgroenebrein.nl. We're happy to connect you with the right person in your educational institution and make a match within your region.

Become a partner! 

Are you putting the circular economy into practice? Would you like students to contribute ideas to your project? Or would you like to inspire students with your circular activities? Join us as a partner!
There are various ways to participate.

Join as a case holder

Does your challenge match this year's theme? And would you like students to contribute their ideas on this issue? Join us as a case holder!

Organize a workshop

Organise an (online) workshop during the Hackathon and inspire students with your circular activities.

Become a regional partner 

Team up with students in your region and work on local issues. Or show students from your region how you are putting circularity into practice.

Want to know more about the possibilities? Please contact Want to know more about the possibilities? Please contact Dianne de Fijter, programme manager LCT, via dianne.defijter@hetgroenebrein.nl

Key details

  • Dates & locations: 2–7 February 2026, locations on educational institutions all through the Netherlands

  • Students work together in regional teams

  • Regional finales on Thursday, hosted by educational institutions. On Friday, the Grande Finale is held at a central place. 

  • Workshops throughout the hackathon will be online

  • Students receive a certificate for participation

Ready to be part of the National Hackathon Circular Economy 2026?

Choose your way to participate and sign up today!

Educators & institutions

Students

Become a host! 

To sign up, please contact Dianne de Fijter, programme manager LCT, via dianne.defijter@hetgroenebrein.nl