UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026: Apply for the UNESCO Youth Hackathon and Win a Trip to Greece
Organiser: UNESCO
Programme: UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026
Theme: Play Your Part: Youth Designing the Future of Media and Information Literacy
Format: Virtual
Eligibility: Young people aged 18 to 30 worldwide
Keyword: UNESCO Youth Hackathon
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Applications are now open for the UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026, a global innovation programme that invites young people to develop solutions that strengthen Media and Information Literacy (MIL). The initiative is open to participants aged 18 to 30 from around the world and encourages collaboration across borders to address challenges linked to information, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and media.
The UNESCO Youth Hackathon follows a successful 2025 edition that attracted more than 1,200 teams from 138 countries. The 2026 programme continues this momentum by recognising young people as contributors to innovation and by supporting ideas that promote responsible access to information and digital literacy.
Winning teams will receive an invitation from UNESCO to attend the Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom in Thessaloniki, Greece, from 26 to 28 November 2026, where they will present their UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 projects and engage with experts, policymakers, journalists, and innovators.
Programme Overview
Participants in the UNESCO Youth Hackathon will have access to a structured mentoring programme before submitting their proposals. The online mentoring sessions are scheduled for 1 and 2 July 2026 and will feature specialists in Media and Information Literacy, project development, innovation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence.
Places for the live mentoring sessions are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Registered UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 participants who do not secure a live place will still receive recordings and learning materials.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 |
| Organiser | UNESCO |
| Eligibility | Young people aged 18 to 30 worldwide |
| Format | Virtual |
| Mentoring Programme | 1 to 2 July 2026 |
| Submission Period | 6 July to 16 August 2026 |
| Evaluation Period | 18 August to 13 September 2026 |
| Winner Announcement | 13 to 18 September 2026 |
| Winner Event | Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom, Greece |
| Festival Dates | 26 to 28 November 2026 |
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Who Can Participate?
The UNESCO Youth Hackathon is open to individuals and teams of young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from any country. Participants are encouraged to collaborate with peers and design practical solutions that improve Media and Information Literacy in their communities or globally.
UNESCO welcomes innovative proposals that demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and the potential for measurable impact. The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 projects may focus on education, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, media awareness, or other approaches that help people navigate today’s information environment.
Timeline and Submission
The call for participation opened on 15 June 2026. Registered participants can join the mentoring programme on 1 and 2 July before preparing their submissions.
Project proposals will be accepted from 6 July until 16 August 2026. Global evaluations will take place between 18 August and 13 September, with winning teams announced later in September. Selected participants will then travel to Greece in November to showcase their work at the international festival.
Participation Notice: UNESCO conducts the selection process according to its published programme guidelines and eligibility criteria. Participation is open to qualifying applicants worldwide aged 18 to 30. Only proposals that satisfy the programme requirements and are submitted within the official timelines will be considered for evaluation.
Disclaimer: Pulse Opportunities shares verified opportunities from trusted sources. We are not a recruiting agency and do not request any payment for applications.
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