Funding

Free · Fully Funded

Program dates

Nov 26, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026

Forum / Summit•Greece · Thessaloniki · Hybrid

UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2026

UNESCO

Application Deadline

August 16, 2026

Official Page

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?

Worth a closer look

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  • Age requirement

    18–30 yrs

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Application process

  1. 1
    Register a team once registration opens (15 June 2026).
  2. 2
    Choose one of five challenge tracks: AI and MIL, MIL Education, Community Impact, Youth Engagement, or Open Track.
  3. 3
    Prepare a proposal document (PDF or Word, max 10MB) and a pitch video (max 3 minutes).
  4. 4
    Submit both components through the official form before the deadline (16 August 2026).
  5. 5
    Await evaluation and the winner announcement.

Program timeline

  1. Registration opens

    15 June 2026

  2. Mentoring programme

    1–2 July 2026

  3. 6 July – 16 August 2026

    Submission window (deadline 16 August)

  4. Evaluation period

    18 August – 13 September 2026

  5. Winner announcement

    13–18 September 2026

  6. Winners attend the festival in Thessaloniki, Greece

    26–28 November 2026