Inspiration
EarthAllies was inspired by real experiences growing up in Mongolia.
Every summer, floods disrupt daily life in Ulaanbaatar, yet people often lack clear, localized information on how to respond. At the same time, valuable recyclable materials are wasted because there is no simple way to connect people who have materials with those who need them.
On a personal level, I remember my grandmother collecting glass bottles and bringing them to a small recycling store. It was a simple act—but not a scalable system.
I also struggled to find volunteer opportunities when I wanted to contribute to my community.
These experiences led to one insight: many climate challenges are actually coordination problems.
What it does
EarthAllies is a platform that connects climate mitigation and climate adaptation in one system.
It allows users to:
Buy, sell, or request recyclable materials Create and join volunteer events Check flood warnings based on location Request and respond to material needs
Instead of using multiple disconnected tools, EarthAllies provides a single platform for real, local climate action.
How we built it
EarthAllies is built as a full-stack web application:
Frontend: Vite.js - React (modern UI, responsive design) Backend: Node.js + Express.js Database: MongoDB Authentication: Google sign-in Features: Image upload, real-time listings, modular APIs
Challenges we ran into
Data availability: Reliable, localized flood data is limited System integration: Combining marketplace, alerts, and volunteering into one cohesive UX Scope balance: Keeping the product simple while solving multiple problems Real-world validation: Need for local partners to test and iterate
Accomplishments that we're proud of
Built a working end-to-end prototype during the hackathon Successfully integrated multiple systems into one platform Designed a solution grounded in real community needs Created a product that is both technically feasible and socially impactful
What we learned
Climate solutions must be practical and actionable, not just informative A clear problem–solution fit is more important than adding features
What's next for Earth Allies
Partner with local recycling organizations, NGOs, and municipalities Integrate real-time and official flood data sources Add SMS/offline support for accessibility Localize the platform for different regions and languages Launch pilot programs in Mongolia and expand to similar regions
Built With
- express.js
- googleauth
- mongodb
- node.js
- react
- restapi
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