The European Big Data Hackathon organised by the European Commission (Eurostat) is held on 5–9 March.

The software innovation event is attended by Statistics Lithuania team: data analysts Marijus Bernotas and Jonas Bačelis, and partner Julijonas Kikutis who is working with the State Data Management Information System.

This year’s Hackathon is focused on the impact of the pandemic on the economy, economic recovery policy topics. The teams will analyse big data in international trade.

The European Big Data Hackathon has set three main tasks:

1. To solve statistical problems through application of algorithms and available big data.
2. To develop prototypes of new products including visualisation tools which could be used by national statistical offices.
3. To promote partnership of scientists, experts and businesses with the view of informing about initiatives and possibilities related to the use of big data in official statistics.

Applications to participate in the Hackathon could be submitted by teams comprising the representatives of the national statistical institutes or public data researchers and partners. A total of 34 teams were allowed to participate in the Hackathon (31 teams delegated by national statistical offices, and 3 – by the members of the EMOS (European Master in Official Statistics) network).

During the Hackathon, the teams will develop prototypes of data products. After two days, participants will have to present their product idea. The evaluation team will select the best idea. Five teams will win the second place. The winner and vice-champions will have to present their prototypes at the closing conference on 9 March.

The Lithuanian team was given the task to create a whiteboard application to simulate and forecast an international trade network with a wide range of goods and time options. The team will also need to consider existing international trade policies and data analysis capabilities.

* Hackathonis a marathon of various professionals aimed at development of new software products. It is a joint event for data scientists, analysts, programmers, marketing specialists, designers, project managers and various other professionals involved in the development of a software product. Professionals engaged in different fields of activity generate ideas, exchange experience, communicate and develop a new product (a mobile app, a new service that requires software, a website, etc.) in a very short time – a few days.