Young innovators from the Haor region brought forward practical, field-level solutions at the final round of the Haor Hackathon: Innovations in Climate Action, held on 11 March 2026 at the Grand Sylhet Hotel and Resort.
The hackathon was organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research, BRAC University, in collaboration with multiple partners including Young Climate Action Network, under the NABAPALLAB project funded by the UK Government and implemented by a consortium led by CARE Bangladesh.
Context
The Haor region remains one of the most climate-vulnerable areas in Bangladesh. Seasonal flooding, erratic rainfall, and waterlogging consistently disrupt agriculture and livelihoods. Most policy responses stay top-down and slow. That gap is exactly where local innovation should matter.
Event Overview
Participants from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sunamganj presented solutions targeting real problems: flood management, unpredictable rainfall, waterlogging, and livelihood instability.
Out of 30 shortlisted ideas, 12 teams reached the final round and pitched directly to an expert panel. That filtering matters. Most hackathons collapse under too many weak ideas. This one forced selection.
Guests and Participation
The event was attended by Ainun Nishat as Chief Guest, alongside key figures from academia and development practice, including Roufa Khanum, Mrityunjoy Das, and Istiak Ibne Rouf. The session was moderated by Sharmin Nahar Nipa.
Winning Teams
Three teams stood out based on feasibility and impact:
- Quantum Five
- GreenNexus
- Farm Nexa
Each received BDT 25,000. The money is minor. What matters is whether these ideas survive beyond the event. Most don’t.
Significance
The hackathon shows that youth in vulnerable regions understand their problems better than external consultants. That’s obvious. What’s not obvious is whether institutions will take their ideas seriously.
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