Amsterdam Policy Hackathon 2025 | 1st Edition

Overview

The first edition of the Amsterdam Policy Hackathon (APH) took place from September 12-14, 2025, at Amsterdam Science Park. This inspiring event brought together 80+ participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to tackle real-world policy challenges through innovative, data-driven policymaking.

Key Statistics

• 170+ Sign-ups from across the Netherlands and beyond
• 80+ Selected Participants attended, as spots were limited
• 18 Multidisciplinary Teams formed during the hackathon
• 4 Policy Challenges provided by government and industry stakeholders
• 2.5 Days of intensive collaboration, policy hacking, and innovation

Policy Challenges

Our inaugural event featured four compelling challenges that participants tackled:

1. PAVA: Healthcare Innovation - Quantifying impact of emergent healthcare technologies
2. AMS Institute: Urban Biodiversity - Creating data-driven policy frameworks for supporting insect biodiversity in urban environments
3. BIT x Gelderland: Digital Governance - Automating permit granting service by responsibly using AI
4. City of Amsterdam: Energy Transition - Designing platforms to support citizen decision-making throughout the energy transition

Participant Testimonials

Tessa Clement - Health Tech Founder

“Joining this hackathon was both fun and valuable. For me, the best part was experimenting with ideas, meeting new people, and testing skills in a fast-paced setting. Winning our challenge was the cherry on top: a rewarding recognition of two days of teamwork and creativity. As the founder of a health tech consultancy company, I loved seeing how students approach innovation in healthcare and AI. It was a great reminder that hackathons are not only about competing, but also about connecting, learning, and sparking ideas that may grow into something bigger.”

Matteo Postiferi - MSc Computational Science Student

“Participating in the first Amsterdam Policy Hackathon was an exciting and rewarding experience. Even though I did not rely heavily on my technical skills, I actively used reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving throughout the competition. It was my first time joining an initiative like this, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in meeting inspiring people and collaborating in a dynamic environment. Our project focused on sustainability and environmental challenges, topics I care deeply about but had not yet had the opportunity to explore in such a practical way. I particularly appreciated how participants from diverse backgrounds could each contribute to tackle complex challenges together. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and for the chance to learn from such an engaging setting. This experience has motivated me to take part in similar projects in the future and continue exploring the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and teamwork.”

More Testimonials on LinkedIn

We were thrilled to receive numerous testimonials and feedback from participants on LinkedIn! These authentic reviews showcase the diverse experiences and impact of our first hackathon:

Event Highlights

Opening Ceremony

The event kicked off with inspiring keynote presentations from industry leaders and experts, setting the stage for innovative policy development.

Team Formation

Participants had the opportunity to form multidisciplinary teams based on their interests and expertise, ensuring diverse perspectives on each challenge.

Mentorship & Support

Throughout the hackathon, participants received guidance through mentoring and workshops.

Final Presentations

Teams presented their policy recommendations to a panel of judges from the public sector, private sector, and academia, including representatives from the Municipality of Amsterdam, Dutch Ministry, PwC, and more partner organizations.

Looking Forward

Looking forward, we aim to faciliate the continued contact between partner organizations and hackathon teams, so that the innovative ideas generated during the event can be further developed. The success of our first edition has set a strong foundation for future Amsterdam Policy Hackathon. We’re excited to continue connecting students and young professionals with real stakeholders and enabling them to leverage their technical and policy skills to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.

For more information about future events and how to get involved, visit our FAQ section or stay updated through our newsletter signup.