Applications are now open for the fully-funded UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 , taking place this year in Colombia . The event aims to bring together young people from around the world to collaborate and share innovative ideas on addressing the most pressing challenges in today's digital information world. These challenges include the rise of artificial intelligence, the spread of disinformation, online hate speech, platform dominance, and threats to information integrity. In 2024, UNESCO hosted 202 teams in Indonesia. The winners will be invited to attend the UNESCO Youth Hackathon, as part of the World Media Literacy Week conference, scheduled for 23-24 October 2025 , in Cartagena, Colombia, with UNESCO covering flights and accommodation costs. More details below.
Details about the UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 in Colombia
- Host country : Colombia
- Location : Cartagena
- Duration : 2 days
- Dates : October 23-24, 2025
- Benefits : Fully Funded
- Deadline: August 15, 2025
Financial benefits
The UNESCO Global Youth Hackathon is a flagship initiative of UNESCO's International Media and Information Literacy Week. The program covers:
- Round-trip flight tickets
- stay
Program topic
Youth Leading the Way: Building Media and Information Literacy Solutions for Impact.
Program structure
- Selected participants will receive free online training before presenting their ideas.
- Applicants will submit projects and proposals via the UNESCO website.
- The winning teams will be invited to Colombia to present their projects at the World Media and Information Literacy Week conference.
Program benefits
- No previous experience required - just passion and drive.
Focus areas
Teams can choose from the following focus areas:
- Artificial Intelligence, Media, and Information: Innovative Solutions to Address the Challenges Imposed by AI Through Media and Information
- Media and Communication Education: Creative Approaches to Learning Media and Communication in the Digital Age
- Community Impact: Media and Information Literacy-Based Interventions That Empower Communities
- Engaging Youth: Strategies for Positioning Youth Organizations as Agents of Change in Media and Information Literacy
- Open Track: Other ideas related to media and information sciences that align with this year's theme.
The kind of ideas they are looking for
Your proposal can be one of the following categories:
- games
- Apps/Websites
- Radio programs/podcasts
- Artworks such as comics, short videos, documentaries, etc.
- Educational Toolkits
- Youth organization campaigns
- Community-based interventions
- Other creative means of innovative interventions.
Eligibility criteria
- Candidates from all countries are eligible.
- Team size: 3 to 6 members per team (can be national, regional or international).
- Age Requirements: All team members must be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Encouraging Diversity: Gender balance and inclusivity are highly encouraged within teams.
- No experience required: All you need is your passion and motivation - no prior experience is necessary.
How to apply to the UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025?
Applicants must submit an online application. The official website link is below.