First COOPAthon takes place in Croatia

The idea developed by Team 1 was around the SDG goal of Quality of Education. The pitch was an educational online video and audio platform, which could be used by students for personal and professional development. The content would be developed by lecturers who are experts in the field.

The idea developed by Team 2 was around the SDG goal of No Poverty, and focused on the provision of accommodation, further education, and employment opportunities for young adults over the age of 18 who lack parental support. There is very limited support for young adults raised in orphanages in Croatia, and so the concept here is to provide these people with the right skills, knowledge and resources so that they can build foundations for a happy, successful life.

The idea developed by Team 3 was around the SDG goals of Quality Education and Well-Being. This pitch centred on the idea of a 'virtual babysitter', a platform that would bring together elderly people in nursing homes, and children who have to stay at home as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. When Covid-19 restrictions are in place, elderly people in nursing homes are not allowed to have visitors. At the same time, these measures mean that children attend school from home, using online lessons and activities. Similarly, the parents of these children are also working from home, with a limited amount of time to supervise their children's schoolwork.

The idea of this 'virtual babysitting' platform, therefore, is to bring together these two groups of people - the elderly and children - and allow them to interact together, play games like chess, have various conversations and share experiences.

The idea developed by Team 4 was around the SDG goal of Quality Education. and focused on learning via an app designed for children in primary school, specifically those suffering from dyslexia and dysgraphia. Based on the principle of gamification, this app would also have potential for elderly people, as it could be used as a learning tool, to maintain and develop memory.

The idea developed by Team 5 was around the SDG goals of Good Health and Well-Being. The concept was a series of online videos focusing on neuroplasticity - the ability of the nervous system to respond to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, function and connections - and the associated benefits for mental well-being. 

The idea developed by Team 6 was around the SDG goal of Quality Education. The central concept of this idea was mobile classes, provided to all age groups, in the field of foreign language learning.

The idea developed by Team 7 was around the SDG goal of Responsible Consumption and Production. This pitch was for a Reuse Design Centre, which would bring together those who deal with useful items (the "supply" of old or unwanted products) and those who need it (the "demand" that still exists for these products). The Reuse Design Centre would therefore add greater value to a range of products which might otherwise be abandoned.