Web3 Impact Challenge: Beyond Blockchain. Towards Real Impact
Web3 Innovation HUB
101179566 — W3IH — ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE
Executive Summary
The Web3 Impact Challenge: Beyond Blockchain. Towards Real Impact brought together students at the Faculty of Economics, University of Montenegro, on October 20–21, 2026, to explore how emerging technologies can address real-world economic and environmental challenges.
The two-day event combined expert-led workshops, collaborative project development, mentoring, and final presentations. Five teams, each consisting of four or five members, developed innovative ideas exploring the potential of Web3 technologies and blockchain to support sustainable development and create practical value.
The hackathon concluded with the recognition of three outstanding projects: GreenLoop, which took first place, VerdeChain, which won second place, and Zero Waste Market, which received third place. The event encouraged students to think beyond technology itself and focus on solutions with tangible real-world impact.
Purpose and Theme
The challenge focused on connecting Web3 innovation with practical economic and environmental needs. Participants explored how blockchain and decentralized technologies can contribute to the green economy, support new business models, and create opportunities for sustainable innovation.
Organized within the Web3 Innovation HUB project, funded by the European Union, the hackathon supports the development of digital competencies, entrepreneurship, and innovation among students, encouraging them to apply emerging technologies to contemporary challenges.
Winning Projects
1st Place – Team GreenLoop
GreenLoop is the first digital platform for the circular economy in Montenegro’s construction sector. The concept aims to promote more sustainable resource use by supporting circular practices within the construction industry, demonstrating how digital innovation can contribute to a greener and more resource efficient economy.
2nd Place – Team VerdeChain
VerdeChain secured second place, presenting an idea that stood out among the participating teams for its approach to innovation and sustainability.
3rd Place – Team Zero Waste Market
Zero Waste Market aims to reduce food waste through the application of technology. The concept focuses on using digital solutions to address food waste challenges and promote more sustainable consumption practices.
Programme and Workshops
The two-day programme combined expert knowledge with practical work, guiding participants from an introduction to Web3 technologies to the development and presentation of their own concepts.
Day 1 – October 20, 2026
The programme introduced participants to the relationship between Web3 and economic transformation through a workshop led by Stefan Vukmanović, “How Web3 Transforms the Economy”. Danilo Purić followed with “Web3 Fundamentals for Economics Students”, providing an introduction to the core concepts and their relevance to the field of economics.
Day 2 – October 21, 2026
The next sessions were focused on further project development, refining concepts, and preparing final presentations. Marina Braletić led the workshop “Green Economy and Blockchain”, highlighting the potential of blockchain applications in addressing environmental and economic challenges. To help participants communicate their ideas effectively, Sanja Gardašević Janion delivered a session on presentation skills. The programme concluded with team presentations, the evaluation of proposed solutions, and the announcement of the winning teams.
Impact and Highlights
- Five student teams, each comprising four or five members, developed and presented their ideas.
- Three outstanding projects were recognized for their innovative approaches.
- Expert-led workshops introduced participants to Web3, blockchain, and the green economy.
- Team-based collaboration encouraged creative thinking, problem-solving, and the practical application of knowledge.
- Final presentations provided participants with an opportunity to communicate their ideas and demonstrate their potential impact.
About the Project
The Web3 Innovation Hub (W3IH) project, number 101179566 – ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE, is implemented within the Erasmus+ programme. The project aims to build capacity in higher education institutions through the integration of Web3 technologies and decentralised science in academic research and education.