4 December 2025

For two days, the Audimax at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences was a think tank for the entire region. At the HIKEathon X Citizens, almost 100 people from the city and district, companies, civil society and the university worked on concrete solutions for northern Thuringia. At the same time, interested parties followed the process on the YouTube livestream, which recorded around 250 views - in addition, guests from the public came directly to the Audimax and accepted the university's invitation.

Eleven interdisciplinary teams worked on challenges relating to mobility, energy, demographics, start-ups, administration, culture, location development and citizen participation. The groups were supported by 13 coaches and an AI platform set up especially for the HIKEathon by the company IONOS. This „HIKEathon AI“ was running at full speed at times - with up to 3,600 enquiries per hour, from research and persona development to prototypes and presentations.

„Successful forum for new ideas“

District Administrator Matthias Jendricke emphasised the importance of the format for the district: „The HIKEathon was once again a successful forum for networking very different stakeholders from our region with Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and developing new ideas in an innovative format. The participants took on exciting questions with their respective perspectives that play an important role for the future of our district. As a member of the jury, I was able to see for myself how dynamic the teams were and how original the approaches were.“

The HIKEathon also sends out an important signal from the perspective of state politics. Carolin Gerbothe, member of the Thuringian state parliament, sees it as an example of contemporary participation: „The HIKEathon is an example of a modern culture of participation: low-threshold, collaborative, innovative and based on the belief that change succeeds when we tackle it together.“

Administration, citizens and business at one table

For the first time, the city administration and district administration acted as joint organisers - and brought in their own challenges, on which administration employees, citizens, students and company representatives worked together.

Ideas with potential beyond the HIKEathon

The results ranged from concepts for inclusive, emission-free mobility in rural areas, intergenerational schools, an energy community platform and a new vision for the Goldene Aue industrial estate to an adventure railway station and a strong location brand „Nordhausen lacks nothing - only you“. Two of the solutions developed have already been submitted to the Fraunhofer „Resilient City Challenge“ competition.

For University President Prof Dr Jörg Wagner, the HIKEathon X Citizens is a strong signal from the region: „Over 90 people from the city, district, companies and society have shown at the HIKEathon X Citizens that new ideas and courage are driving our region forward. Great results have been achieved. Now it's up to the district, the city or even companies to pick up the ball and make something of it. That's how we get ahead!“

Support from the region

The format was made possible by numerous partners: IONOS provided the AI platform, EVN, Maximator, Techniker Krankenkasse and Stadtwerke Holding ensured good framework conditions with donations in kind and support, and the de:HUB Photonics & Digital Experience Jena invited all participants to a pizza lunch on Saturday.

In January, the city, district and university will hold a joint review to discuss how the resulting ideas can be pursued and which approaches can be transferred into possible pilot projects. One thing is already clear: the HIKEathon X Citizens has shown that Nordhausen and North Thuringia are ready to tackle future issues together - with creativity, courage and strong cooperation.

Photos: TNT Creative Studio Nordhausen