Ever dreamt of traveling the world, meeting like-minded changemakers, and creating real solutions to global problems—all for free? Well, here’s your chance.
UNESCO is inviting young people from all over the world to apply for the Youth Hackathon 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia—a fully funded opportunity to brainstorm and build ideas that tackle digital challenges in today’s world.
Sound exciting? It gets even better. You don’t need any fancy experience or qualifications—just your passion, creativity, and a desire to make a difference.
Let’s break it all down, step by step.
🌟 What is the UNESCO Youth Hackathon?
Think of the UNESCO Youth Hackathon as a giant idea lab. It’s a place where young people gather—physically and virtually—to team up, share ideas, and create tech-driven or creative solutions to some of the biggest problems facing our digital world.
This year’s event is part of UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, which focuses on promoting access to reliable information, digital skills, and ethical use of media. The 2025 Hackathon will take place on October 23–24 in the stunning city of Cartagena, Colombia.
But here’s the best part: It’s fully funded. Flights, accommodation, mentoring—you name it, it’s covered.
✈️ What Does Fully Funded Mean?
If selected, you don’t need to worry about a single travel expense. UNESCO takes care of everything:
So whether you’re from Ghana, Indonesia, Brazil, or anywhere in between—you can apply and attend for free.
💡 What’s the Hackathon All About?
The main theme this year is:
“Youth Leading the Way: Building MIL Solutions for Impact”
In simpler terms, UNESCO wants young people to come up with ideas that help others understand and navigate the digital world better. Whether it’s fighting misinformation, encouraging safe internet use, or helping communities make sense of AI—your ideas matter.
🎯 Key Focus Areas
You and your team can choose one of the following tracks to develop your project:
– How can we use AI responsibly and teach others to do the same?
– Can we create fun and effective ways to teach digital skills?
– How can media literacy help people in our communities?
– What role can youth organizations play in spreading digital awareness?
– Got another idea related to media and information literacy? You’re free to pitch it!
🎨 What Kind of Ideas Can You Submit?
You’re not just limited to apps or websites. Get creative! Your idea can take many forms, like:
Basically, if it helps people understand and use information wisely, it’s worth pitching!
🙋 Who Can Apply?
Here’s who is eligible:
Don’t know how to start a team? Reach out to student clubs, youth organizations, or even online communities in your country or region. Many applicants find teammates through social media groups or forums.
🧠 What Happens After You Apply?
📅 Important Dates to Remember
🤔 Why Should You Apply?
Here are a few good reasons:
And if you’re thinking, “I’m not a tech genius”—don’t worry. This event is about ideas, creativity, and passion. Even if you’re not a coder or designer, your voice still matters.
✅ How to Apply for the UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025
Ready to make your mark?
Here’s how to apply:
Don’t wait until the last minute—the deadline is August 15, 2025.
📍 Final Thoughts
The digital world is changing fast. With AI, fake news, online hate, and platform monopolies growing every day, the need for media literacy has never been greater. That’s where you come in.
This is more than just a free trip. It’s a chance to be a voice of change, to learn from others, and to build something that actually matters.
So gather your team, dream big, and get ready to innovate in Colombia. Who knows—your idea might be the one that changes everything.
Got questions or need help forming a team? Drop a comment below or reach out via our contact page. Let’s get you to Colombia!
