Build Your Prototype in 8 Days

The ATIO KB APP Hackathon invites innovators, developers, and agrifood experts to co-create a digital platform that will serve as the central hub for the ATIO Knowledge Base. 

 

A global Hackathon to design and prototype the ATIO Knowledge Base App, a digital FAO's platform for sharing, discovering, and assessing agrifood technologies and innovations worldwide. 

 

 

What is ATIO? 

 

The Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) is FAO’s flagship initiative to track, analyze, and accelerate innovation for agrifood systems transformation. 

 

ATIO includes: 

  • a biennial global report (starting with ATIO 2025) 

  • a living Knowledge Base (KB) of technologies, data, and indicators 

 

The ATIO Knowledge Base is: 

  • open-access 

  • AI-assisted 

  • participatory and partnership-driven 

  • global nature, with specific focus on targeting LMICs

  • designed to support evidence-based decision-making at local, national and global level 

Your app will be the main interface to this knowledge. 

 

 

About the Hackathon

 

1. What is this? 
A global online hackathon to design and prototype the ATIO Knowledge Base App, a digital platform that serves as FAO’s gateway for sharing, discovering, and assessing agrifood technologies and innovations worldwide. 

The event is fully online, enabling global participation and collaboration, and offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of agrifood innovation. 

 

2. Why participate? 
Because your work can: 

  • Shape a real FAO digital product that will impact global food systems.  

  • Influence agrifood policy and investment decisions through technology.  

  • Connect with top experts in innovation, AI, UX, and agrifood systems.  

  • Gain international visibility and recognition for your skills. 


3. Who is it for? 
Developers, designers, data scientists, agrifood experts, behavioral scientists, students, and innovators, working together in diverse, multidisciplinary teams. 

We are looking for young and young-at-heart individuals who are: 

  • Passionate about technology, innovation, and agrifood systems. 

  • Eager to learn, collaborate, and make a difference. 

  • Ready to turn ideas into action and shape the future of sustainable agriculture. 

Whether you’re a coder, creative thinker, researcher, or problem-solver, this is your chance to co-create a real FAO digital product and connect with global experts. 

 

4. What is the goal? 

Design and prototype the ATIO Knowledge Base App, a user-friendly, scalable, and inclusive digital platform. 

1) The Problem: Agrifood innovation data exists, but it is: 

  • fragmented 

  • hard to compare across contexts 

  • inaccessible to many decision-makers 

2) ATIO needs a single, intuitive digital gateway that bridges: 

  • science ↔ policy 

  • innovation ↔ adoption 

  • global insights ↔ local realities 

 3) Your Mission: Create an app that helps users: 

  • discover agrifood technologies and innovations 

  • assess suitability by geography, context, gender, environment 

  • compare solutions and learn from evidence 

  • collaborate and contribute knowledge 

 

5. What do we expect from the App? 

Participants are not expected to build a finished FAO product, but to deliver a strong, testable prototype. 

The app is not supposed to implement the whole ATIO KB: it is expected to be the mobile front-end to the existing KB. The .prototype will use data from the ATIO KB - which will be provided in a machine-readable format to all the teams - and will have to be accompanied by a technical document that describes the architecture and specifications of the envisaged final product, in particular how it will connect to the ATIO KB database and mirror the ATIO KB data model over time. 

 

The prototype should be a functional, meaning that it demonstrates: 

  • Basic User Flow 
    • Simple, intuitive navigation. 
    • Clear entry points for different user personas (policy-makers, researchers, innovators). (Participants will be provided with a Use Case Analysis.)

  • Core Features 

    • Search & Filter: Ability to find agrifood technologies and innovations. 

    • Basic Comparison: Compare at least two solutions side by side. 

    • Contextual Insights: Show relevance by region, income level, or environment (even if simplified).  

  • Knowledge Display 
    • A structured way to present innovation data (cards, tables, or simple visualization). 

    • Include metadata like technology name, category, and short description. 

  •  Inclusivity Basics 
    • Mobile-friendly layout. 
    • Low-bandwidth optimization (lightweight design). 
    • Multilingual placeholder (conceptual, not full implementation). 
  • Technical Feasibility 
    • Clear architecture and scalable design choices. 
    • Working prototype (clickable or coded) that can be tested. 
 
 
Who are we looking for?
Developers, data scientists, UX/UI designers, agrifood professionals, students, and innovators passionate about digital solutions for agriculture.

Judging Criteria

     
Relevance to ATIO Goals Technical Feasibility & Functionality

How well does the solution align with the mission and objectives of the ATIOinitiative, supporting knowledge sharing, inclusivity, and transformation in agrifood systems?

 Is the solution technically sound and implementable? Does it demonstrate a clear, working prototype?
    
User Experience & Accessibility
 Scalability & Sustainability
Is the app intuitive, user-friendly, and accessible to a diverse range of users, including those in low- and middle-income countries? Does it address the needs of the identified target groups?
 Can the solution be scaled up to reach a broader audience? Does it have the potential for long-term impact and sustainability within the ATIO ecosystem? 

 

Meet the Judges

 Judge-Valeria Judge-Taisa   Judge-Julia  Judge-Delgermaa  Judge-Fabrizio Judge-Fabiana
Valeria Pesce Taisa Brosler Julia Hamman Delgermaa Chuluunbaatar Fabrizio Bresciani
 Fabiana Woywod
Information Management Specialist UX & Product Strategist Innovation Specialist Behavioral Science

 Agricultural Research Officer

 Senior Innovation Officer User Engagement Expert

 

Timeline

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What you will gain

Participating in this hackathon is more than a competition; it’s an opportunity to innovate, connect, and grow. Here’s what you gain: 
 
  • Global Networking: Collaborate with innovators, developers, and agrifood experts from around the world. Build connections with FAO specialists, mentors, and industry leaders who can open doors for your future.
  • Career Opportunities: Top-performing participants may be considered for work experiences with FAO or partner organizations, an incredible chance to work on real-world projects that make an impact.
  • Recognition on a global stage: Your prototype (ATIO Knowledge Base App) will be showcased by FAO, with your name credited in official communications, giving you visibility across international networks. Winners will have the possibility to present their product at FAO major events in 2026.
  • Certificate of participation: Every finalist receives an official FAO certificate, validating your skills and contribution to digital innovation in agrifood systems. 
  • Exclusive learning experience: Finalist teams will be invited to an FAO workshop to deep dive into cutting-edge topics such as digital agriculture, data-driven decision-making, and innovation scaling, a unique opportunity to learn from global experts. 
 

Eligibility of Applications

  • Background: Open to all disciplines; experience in software/app development or agrifood systems is an advantage 
  • No geographical restrictions 
  • Team minimum nr (3 members)
 
Bonus (not mandatory): 
AI-assisted features, behavioral nudges. 
 

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the Hackathon or application process, please contact:

  • atio@fao.org