UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 is a global initiative under UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, designed to empower young innovators to address today’s most pressing digital challenges. From combating misinformation and online hate speech to navigating AI’s rapid growth and safeguarding information integrity, this hackathon invites creative minds to develop impactful solutions. Following the remarkable success of the 2024 edition — which united 202 teams from 68 countries — the 2025 event promises to be even more dynamic, diverse, and solution-driven.
With the theme “Youth Leading the Way: Building MIL Solutions for Impact”, UNESCO is calling on youth aged 18–30 to collaborate, innovate, and lead change. Participants will gain free access to expert-led online mentoring before submitting their final projects. The winning teams will receive an exclusive invitation to present their solutions at the Global MIL Week Conference on 23–24 October 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia, with all travel and accommodation expenses fully covered by UNESCO. This is a rare opportunity for young leaders to make their voices heard on an international stage.
Program Summary
- Country: Colombia
- Host: UNESCO
- Duration: 2 days
- Dates: 23-24 October 2025
- Benefits: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 1 September 2025
Benefits
- Round Airfare Tickets
- Accommodation
- No prior experience required—only passion and motivation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates from all countries are eligible.
- Team Size: 3 to 6 members per team (can be national, regional, or international).
- Age Requirement: All team members must be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Diversity Encouraged: Gender balance and inclusivity are highly encouraged within teams.
- Experience Not Required: Your passion and motivation are all you need – no prior experience is necessary.
Program Theme
Youth Leading the Way: Building MIL Solutions for Impact.
Structure of the Program
- Selected Participants will receive free online mentoring before submitting their idea.
- Applicants will submit projects and Proposals via the UNESCO Website.
- Winning Teams will be invited to Colombia to present their Projects at the Global MIL Week Conference.
UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 Focus Areas
- AI and MIL: Innovative solutions addressing challenges posed by AI through MIL
- MIL Education: Creative approaches to MIL learning in the digital age
- Community Impact: MIL-based interventions that empower communities
- Youth Engagement: Strategies to position youth organizations as MIL change agents
- Open Track: Other MIL-related ideas aligned with this year’s theme.
The Kind of Ideas They Are Looking For
Your proposal can be one of the following categories:
- Games
- Applications/Websites
- Radio programmes/Podcasts
- Artistic work such as comics, short videos, documentaries, etc.
- Educational toolkits
- Youth organization campaigns
- Community-based interventions
- Other creative modalities for innovative interventions.
How to Apply?
- Register online — Visit the official UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 page and fill out the registration form. You can apply as an individual or as part of a team of 3–6 members aged 18–30. UNESCO encourages diverse, gender-balanced teams, and no prior experience is required — only your creativity and passion.
- Join the free mentoring sessions — After registering, you’ll get access to online mentoring with international experts. These sessions, usually held in August, will help you shape and strengthen your idea before final submission.
- Prepare your proposal — Create a short document in English (Word or PDF, under 10 MB) explaining your team members, problem statement, objectives, target audience, prototype concept, creativity, feasibility, sustainability, and how your idea fits the event’s theme.
- Make your pitch video — Record a clear and engaging video, no longer than 3 minutes, showing the problem you want to solve, how your project works, and why it will make an impact.
- Submit before the deadline — Send both your proposal and pitch video using the submission form provided after registration.
- Wait for the results — If your team is selected, you’ll win a fully funded trip to present your project at the Global MIL Week Conference in Cartagena, Colombia, on 23–24 October 2025, with all travel and accommodation covered by UNESCO.e 23–24 October 2025—UNESCO covers your travel and accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 invites youth to create media literacy solutions. Free to join, it offers mentorship, prizes, and global impact. Check eligibility, deadlines, and project guidelines to apply.
What is the UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025?
The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 is a global innovation challenge inviting young people to develop creative solutions addressing media and information literacy issues. Participants collaborate in teams to design projects that combat misinformation and promote digital empowerment.
Who can participate in the hackathon?
The hackathon is open to youth aged [specific age range not stated on the page] from eligible countries passionate about media literacy. Teams or individuals with skills in tech, design, or advocacy are encouraged to apply.
How do I form a team for the hackathon?
You can join as an individual or gather a team of like-minded peers (team size details not specified). Diverse skills—coding, research, or storytelling—strengthen your project’s impact.
What kind of projects are eligible?
Projects must tackle media literacy challenges, such as fighting disinformation or promoting ethical digital content. Innovations can include apps, campaigns, or tools with real-world applicability.
Is there a registration fee?
No, the hackathon is free to enter. UNESCO encourages inclusive participation without financial barriers, ensuring equal opportunities for all young innovators.
What are the key dates and deadlines?
While the exact deadline isn’t listed, applicants should monitor updates for submission cutoffs. The hackathon aligns with Global MIL Week, typically held in October.
What prizes or opportunities do winners receive?
Winners gain mentorship, visibility, and potential funding to scale their solutions. Exact prizes aren’t detailed, but past editions offered networking and expert support.
Can I apply if my country isn’t listed?
Eligibility depends on regional participation criteria. Check the guidelines to confirm if your country qualifies, as the hackathon prioritizes certain regions.
How will projects be judged?
Submissions are evaluated on innovation, feasibility, and alignment with media literacy goals. A panel of experts assesses entries based on predefined criteria.
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