UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 in Greece | Fully Funded

The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 is a global competition inviting young changemakers to design innovative Media and Information Literacy (MIL) solutions. Winning teams will be invited to Thessaloniki, Greece, for the Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom.

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, organizes this hackathon to empower youth as drivers of innovation. The 2025 edition attracted over 1,200 teams from 138 countries, showcasing the power of young people to address today’s information challenges.

UNESCO Youth Hackathon Benefits

• Winning teams invited to participate in the Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom in Thessaloniki, Greece, from 26–28 November 2026
• Opportunity to showcase projects and engage with other stakeholders
• Access to a two-day mentoring programme on 1-2 July featuring experts in MIL, digital transformation, AI, project development, and innovation

UNESCO Youth Hackathon Eligibility Criteria

• Teams of 2–6 members (national, regional, or international)
• All team members must be 18–30 years old
• 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 experience required—only passion and motivation!

Required Documents

Applicants/teams must prepare and submit the following two components in English:

1. Proposal Document (PDF or Word)

The proposal should include:

• Team members’ information
• Problem statement
• Project objectives
• Target audience / beneficiaries
• Prototype or project concept
• Proposed solution and how it works
• Sustainability plan
• Creativity and innovation
• Feasibility and implementation approach

The document should be clear, concise, well-structured, and easy to understand.

2. Pitch Video (Maximum 3 minutes)

Teams must create a short video presenting their project idea in an engaging and convincing way.

What Type of Projects Can Be Submitted?

UNESCO welcomes creativity and innovation across multiple formats. Participants may submit:

• Mobile applications
• Websites and digital platforms
• Educational games
• Podcasts and radio programmes
• Comics and artistic works
• Short films and documentaries
• Educational toolkits
• Youth campaigns
• Community interventions
• Other innovative formats

The focus is not on technology alone but on impact, creativity, feasibility, and relevance

Free Mentoring for All Registered Participants

One of the strongest features of this competition is UNESCO’s mentoring programme. All registered participants will receive access to a special two-day mentoring programme scheduled for 1–2 July 2026.

The sessions will feature experts in:

• Social Impact Design
• Media and Information Literacy
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Transformation
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Project Development

Live participation spaces are limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. However, participants who miss live sessions will still receive recordings and learning resources.

How to Apply for UNESCO Youth Hackathon

• Register via the official registration link provided on the UNESCO page
• Prepare a Proposal Document (PDF or Word) including team members, problem statement, objectives, target audience, prototype or concept, sustainability, creativity, and feasibility
• Create a Pitch Video (max. 3 minutes) telling the story behind your idea, explaining your solution, and highlighting originality and impact
• Submit both components in English during the submission period from July 6 to August 16

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.