Implemented project:
Smart Traffic Hackathon- Innovations for Dynamic Traffic Management in Trnava Using AI

Basic information

The sixteenth hackathon within the Hacknime.to project, funded through the Recovery and Resilience Plan of Slovakia, focused on finding ways to automate communication between the city of Považská Bystrica and its residents in the area of public space improvement and other volunteer activities. The long-term goal is to connect the city with its residents in a way that transforms passive observers into active contributors to positive change in their community.

Main Page of the Portal

Solution – United City app

The result of the project is a modern web application that provides the city with a comprehensive platform for organizing, managing, and promoting volunteer activities, while also creating a space where residents can easily get involved in the life of their city.

Every resident of Považská Bystrica can create an account and sign up for volunteer activities that interest them. In return for their participation, users collect points that can be exchanged for real rewards, such as tickets to city events, access to sports facilities, or other benefits. In this way, the application rewards citizens for the time and energy they invest in improving the environment in which they live.

However, the platform is not only designed for individuals. It also allows users to create groups, whether it is a school class, sports club, or a group of neighbors, and participate in activities together. This naturally supports the creation and growth of local communities.

Subpage with an overview of volunteer activities
Options for redeeming earned points

For city employees, the application significantly streamlines the entire process of organizing volunteer activities and reduces lengthy administrative work. The system handles communication, notifications, participant management, activity verification, and point allocation automatically. At the same time, the city gains access to statistics that make it possible to accurately measure not only the number of volunteers involved, but also the economic value of their work — key data for planning, budgeting, and communication with the public.

Benefits of the new system

  • Simpler citizen engagement
    Just a few clicks are enough for residents to sign up for a volunteer activity.
  • Motivation that works
    For every activity completed, citizens earn points that can be exchanged for tickets, rewards, or access to city sports facilities.
  • Support for charity and solidarity
    Charity challenges make it possible to direct points to organizations or people in need. Citizens can also donate their own collected points.
  • Stronger communities
    Schools, clubs, and neighbors can create groups and participate in activities together.
  • Citizens’ voice in city planning
    Every registered resident can propose their own volunteer activity. The city receives ideas directly from people who know their community best.
  • Active communication
    Notifications in the app ensure that no important information gets lost. Citizens are instantly informed about updates and new activities.
  • Insight into the real value of volunteering
    For the first time, the city gains concrete data on how many people got involved, how much work was completed, and what the equivalent external cost would be — helping the city make better decisions and plan more effectively for the future.
  • More efficient work for city employees
    Creating activities, managing participants, verifying completed tasks, and assigning points — all in one system, including direct access from the field via mobile devices.