The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026 invites young people worldwide to design fresh solutions for media and information literacy (MIL) under the theme “Play Your Part: Youth Designing the Future of Media and Information Literacy.” Teams tackle one of five challenge areas, submit a proposal and a short pitch video, and compete for a place at a European journalism festival.
It is run by UNESCO as part of its wider work helping people navigate information, misinformation, and AI-shaped media. Four winning teams are selected, and UNESCO covers two members of each to travel to Thessaloniki, Greece for the closing festival.
Benefits & funding
- Free to enter — no participation fee.
- Four winning teams selected; UNESCO covers two members of each team for flights, accommodation, and meals to Greece.
- Winners attend the Voices European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom in Thessaloniki (26–28 November 2026).
- Access to a mentoring programme during the challenge.
Eligibility
- Open to young people aged 18–30 from anywhere in the world.
- Applicants form teams of 2–6 members; teams may be national, regional, or international.
- Every team member must be within the 18–30 age range.
- No prior experience required; gender balance and inclusion are encouraged.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Age requirement
18–30 yrs
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Application process
- 1Register a team once registration opens (15 June 2026).
- 2Choose one of five challenge tracks: AI and MIL, MIL Education, Community Impact, Youth Engagement, or Open Track.
- 3Prepare a proposal document (PDF or Word, max 10MB) and a pitch video (max 3 minutes).
- 4Submit both components through the official form before the deadline (16 August 2026).
- 5Await evaluation and the winner announcement.
Program timeline
Registration opens
15 June 2026
Mentoring programme
1–2 July 2026
6 July – 16 August 2026
Submission window (deadline 16 August)
Evaluation period
18 August – 13 September 2026
Winner announcement
13–18 September 2026
Winners attend the festival in Thessaloniki, Greece
26–28 November 2026