UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 – Win a Trip to Greece. The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 is now accepting applications from young people worldwide who want to use innovation and creativity to develop solutions for a better digital information environment. The theme of the 2026 edition is “Play Your Part: Youth Designing the Future of Media and Information Literacy.” The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 is open to young people aged 18 to 30 from around the world. Organized by UNESCO, this global youth opportunity focuses on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and encourages young people to design practical solutions to today’s information challenges.
UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 – Details
- Host Organization: UNESCO
- Program: UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026
- Theme: Play Your Part: Youth Designing the Future of Media and Information Literacy
- Eligibility: Young people aged 18–30
- Deadline: 16 August 2026
Financial Benefits
The winning teams will be invited to attend the Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom in Thessaloniki, Greece, from 26–28 November 2026. UNESCO will cover the following expenses for two members of each winning team:
- Flight to Greece
- Accommodation
- Meals
What Is the UNESCO Youth Hackathon?
The UNESCO Youth Hackathon is a global platform that gives young people an opportunity to turn creative ideas into practical solutions for Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
The 2026 edition builds on the success of the previous year, which attracted more than 1,200 teams from 138 countries. UNESCO is inviting a new generation of young innovators to collaborate and develop solutions that can help people navigate today’s rapidly changing information environment.
Who Can Apply?
The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 is open to:
- Young people aged 18 to 30
- Applicants from all countries
- Teams consisting of 2 to 6 members
- National, regional, or international teams
- Young changemakers interested in media, technology, education, AI, innovation, or community development
- Applicants do not need previous hackathon experience.
What Topics Can You Work On?
Participants can develop projects around one or more of the following areas:
- AI and Media & Information Literacy
- Media & Information Literacy Education
- Community Impact
- Youth Engagement
- Open Track
What Kind of Projects Can You Submit?
UNESCO is open to various creative and innovative solutions. Your project could be:
- Games
- Mobile or web applications
- Websites
- Radio programs
- Podcasts
- Short videos
- Documentaries
- Comics or other artistic work
- Educational toolkits
- Youth organization campaigns
- Community-based interventions
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be particularly suitable for:
- Students
- Young entrepreneurs
- Young researchers
- Developers
- Designers
- Content creators
- Journalists and aspiring journalists
- Educators
- Youth activists
- Social innovators
How to Apply for the UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026?
For the application process, please visit the official website.
APPLY NOW FOR THE UNESCO YOUTH HACKATHON
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