UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026

About the opportunity

The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 invites young changemakers worldwide to co-design innovative solutions advancing Media and Information Literacy (MIL). Operating under the theme ‘Play Your Part: Youth Designing the Future of Media and Information Literacy’, the hackathon empowers youth to tackle global challenges through challenge tracks such as AI and MIL, MIL Education, Community Impact, Youth Engagement, and an Open Track. Proposals can take forms like games, applications, websites, podcasts, artistic works, toolkits, or community interventions. Winning teams will be invited to showcase their projects at the Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Funding and benefits

• Access to a two-day online mentoring programme featuring experts in MIL, digital transformation, AI, project development, and innovation.
• Full coverage by UNESCO for 2 members per winning team for flights, accommodation, and meals to attend the Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom in Thessaloniki, Greece.
• Opportunity to showcase winning projects and engage with global stakeholders at the festival from 26–28 November 2026.

Who can apply?

• Open to global youth aged 18–30 from around the world.
• Participants must form teams of 2–6 members (national, regional, or international).
• Individual participants are not eligible; only team submissions are accepted.
• Teams should align with UNESCO's values, including peace, respect for diversity, and freedom of expression.
• Gender balance and inclusion are highly encouraged.
• No prior technical background or experience is required—only passion and motivation.

Required documents

• Proposal Document in PDF or Word format (size limit: 10MB), covering team members, problem statement, objectives, target audience, prototype or concept, sustainability, creativity, and feasibility.
• Pitch Video (maximum 3 minutes) showcasing the project idea, problem solved, solution mechanism, beneficiaries, originality, and impact.

When to apply

• Call for Participation opened on 15 June 2026.
• Online Mentoring Programme runs from 1–2 July 2026.
• Submission period runs from 6 July to 16 August 2026.
• Final submission deadline is 23:59 Paris Time on 16 August 2026.
• Global evaluation takes place from 18 August to 13 September 2026.
• Winner announcement scheduled between 13–18 September 2026.
• Winners Ceremony takes place at the festival in Thessaloniki, Greece, from 26–28 November 2026.

How to apply

• Form a team of 2 to 6 members aged 18–30.
• Prepare the written proposal document in PDF or Word format (English only).
• Create a pitch video of up to 3 minutes (can use native language with English subtitles).
• Submit the proposal and pitch video through the official online submission portal before the deadline on 16 August 2026.

Additional information

• Four winning teams will be selected in mid-September 2026.
• Live places for the mentoring sessions are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, though recordings and materials remain fully accessible to all registered participants.
• Written proposals must be in English, but pitch videos may use any language with English subtitles.