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Directorate for Development and Projects
Balaton Solar Boat Challenge (BSBC-2022-2023)
Project ID: BSBC-2022-2023
Project description:
The internationally renowned boat race series will be held for the first time in Hungary on Lake Balaton from 23-27 August 2023. On the initiative of the University of Pannonia, the Municipality of Balatonalmádi will provide the venue for the event. The Balaton Solar Boat Challenge is a shared project of the University of Pannonia, the Veszprém 2023 - European Capital of Culture programme, the Hungarian Sailing Association and the Municipality of Balatonalmádi.
The main objective of the competition is to bring together the responsible institutions of the region to organise an innovative and sustainable international Solar Boat race for the first time in Hungary, which will raise the region to a prominent position on the international stage and will define its innovative attractiveness for the next generations. International races are currently being held in Monaco, the Netherlands, Germany and Madeira in Europe, and Hungary is joining now too.
The main ambition of the cooperation is to educate the future generation about sustainability, to demonstrate a responsible approach to the environment and the implementation of immediate action, and to show the economic and social development that can be achieved by bringing together different disciplines.
The venue will be provided by the Municipality of Balatonalmádi for the accompanying events, during which our partners will offer a wide range of activities for professional participants (shipping industry, renewable energy companies, related disciplines), families and students.
The competitions are of course not only attended by the competing teams, but also by boat and water sports enthusiasts, investors, business people and others, from children to the older generations. Through various media content - television coverage, international marketing, boating magazines, team videos, blogs, podcasts - the event as a whole is able to attract and reach a large audience.
It is an important ambition of the Municipality of Balatonalmádi, the Hungarian Sailing Association, the Veszprém 2023 - European Capital of Culture programme and the University of Pannonia to organize the event in a long-term and sustainable way in Hungary, in the Central Transdanubian region, in the framework of a self organized race, with the participation of a boat built at the University of Pannonia. The horizontal objectives of the VEB 2023 European Capital of Culture programme are sustainability, innovation, community building, volunteering and tradition, and the Balaton Solar Boat Challenge fits perfectly into this.
The University of Pannonia, as the leading university in the Transdanubian and Lake Balaton region, and its dormitory on the waterfront of Balatonalmádi, together with its partners, provide an excellent background for the successful implementation of the event.
Project plan:
Year 2022:
- Project design phase
- Developing the racing boat of the university
- Developing partnerships
- Presentation of the boat
- Announcing the competition for European universities
- Press coverage, promotion
Year 2023:
- 5-day long international competition supported by media communication
- Mini Solar Competition (for different generations) on sustainable technologies
- European Capital of Culture and Balatonalmádi side events, professional forums, conference
- Addressing the boating profession / solar panel manufacturing companies through workshops, scientific presentations
- International marketing
Project duration: 01.01.2021 – 31.12.2023
Total project cost: 82 714 386 HUF
Type of research: Research and development
Professional leader: Dr. Kurdi Róbert
Professional leader ’s email address:
Project manager: Vargáné Hajda Tímea
Project manager's email address: