Welcome to hack4safefood 2025 Hackathon challenge !

Join a regional movement to empower safe food solutions for all!

The Hack4safeFood initiative, organized by the Research Network and Food Safety Innovation Hub (RNFSIH), is a regional technology and policy hackathon aimed at tackling food safety challenges in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. This event, scheduled for September 2025, seeks to empower safe food solutions for all by leveraging science, innovation, and coordinated efforts among multiple actors. The hackathon will bring together innovators, coders, policymakers, and private sector representatives to develop and upscale solutions tailored to local and regional needs.

 

Themes

  • Sustainable Technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Tackling Food Safety Challenges  
  • Sustainable Technology and Policy for Tackling Food Safety Challenges

 

Who should apply?

  • Innovators and Developers: Individuals with a background in technology, particularly those skilled in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital solutions. They will have the opportunity to develop new AI-powered applications and platforms to enhance food safety.
  • Scientists and Researchers: Experts in food safety, agrifood systems, and related fields who can contribute their knowledge and collaborate on innovative solutions.
  • Policymakers: Government officials and policy experts who are involved in food safety management and regulation. They will benefit from developing policy innovations and adaptive measures to improve food safety.
  • Private Sector Representatives: Businesses and industry leaders in the food sector who are interested in enhancing food safety and quality systems. They can provide insights and support for scaling innovative solutions.
  • Academia: professors,researchers and students from universities and research institutions who can contribute to the development and implementation of innovative food safety solution

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be from North East and North Africa Region
  • Applicants should exhibit a clear interest in food safety, digital technologies, and innovation and possess an initial idea related to the theme.
  • Applicants must commit to participating in a two-day, in-person hackathon.
  • A team should have no more than five members .

Participants Benefits

 

 

     
AWARD TRAIN ACCELERATE

Cash prize for pitch competition winner

 

Opportunity to pitch on stage at FAO’s Science and Innovation Forum

6-month incubation with expert mentorship (AI, food safety, business innovation)

 

Scholarships & internships in innovation and food safety programs

Access to the World Food Forum at FAO’s 80th anniversary

 

Networking across UN, public/private sectors & academia

 

Access to valuable FAO and partner datasets

Organizer Messages

"Innovation is essential to tackling food safety challenges in the NENA region, driving sustainable agrifood transformation and resilient food systems. The FAO Regional Office plays a pivotal role by convening Hack4saferfood fostering collaboration among innovators, policymakers, and technologists. This initiative will inform evidence-based policy development and accelerate practical technology solutions to improve food safety across the region.’’

 

Faten Adada

Agriculture Development Expert

FAO Regional Office for the NENA

 

“As a co-organizer of the Regional Food Safety Hackathon, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is proud to support this innovative initiative that brings together multidisciplinary teams to address real-world food safety challenges through practical, data-driven solutions. We believe that empowering youth, researchers, and entrepreneurs with the tools of innovation is key to shaping a safer and more resilient food system—both regionally and globally. This Hackathon reflects SFDA’s continued commitment to advancing food safety through collaboration, capacity building, and smart regulatory innovation, in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.’’

 

 

   

Dr. Amani Alqahtani

Director and focal point

Saudi Food and Drug Authority
Technology Category Policy Category

1. Novelty & Innovation

Utilizing novel technologies, bringing forth new and

unexpected ideas that could significantly advance the field.

1. Innovation (Novelty & Relevance)

  • Originality – Uniqueness and creativity of the solution

  • Intuitiveness – Whether the solution is usable and clear for end users

  • Relevance – Alignment with food safety policies and real-world needs

 

2. Impact & Relevance

Potential number of people impacted and the extent

of change it can bring to their lives. It also evaluates

the solution's ability to make a significant impact on the climate.

2. Understanding (Depth of Insight)

  • Problem Framing – Understanding of key issues across short-, mid-, and long-term dimensions

  • Situation Analysis – Quality of analysis including stakeholders and users

  • Clarity – Ability to summarize complexity, including risk factors

3. Scalability

How well the proposed solution can grow to accommodate increased demand. This includes evaluating the flexibility of the solution's design, its ability to handle a larger user base, and how efficiently it can scale with minimal additional resources.

3. Strategy (Applicability & Stakeholder Fit)

  • Stakeholder Fit – Consideration of users, policymakers, and food safety context

  • Impact – Policy alignment and potential positive influence

4. Experience & Usability

Evaluating the user experience and how intuitive the solution is for its intended audience. This includes the design of the user interface, ease of use, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction.

4. Communication (Delivery & Influence)

  • Pitching – Clarity, confidence, and skill in delivering the idea

5. Project Team

Teams will be evaluated on their operational capacity, relevant experience, technical skills, and commitment to diversity and gender equit

 

Timeline

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Schedule

Day 1

8:00 am: Check in
9:00 am  Opening,key notes and setting rules

9:30 am: Hacking begins
1:00 pm: Lunch break and networking
3:30pm: Coffee and snaks
6:00 pm: Mentorship on pitch deck preparation
7:00 pm: Hacking continues
Midnight: Food and snacks
 
Day 2

8:30pm: Wrapping up of solutions
2:30pm: Jurry arrival and briefing
3:00pm: Solution pitching
6:00pm: Result announcement and award ceremony
7:00pm: Closing

 

Any Questions?

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

Digital-innovation@fao.org

Bassel.Daher@fao.org

Faten.Adada@fao.org