Fully Funded UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025: Innovate For Media And Information Literacy

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In a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, youth play a pivotal role in shaping a more informed, inclusive, and resilient future. Recognizing this, UNESCO has launched its Youth Hackathon 2025—a flagship initiative under its Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week. Bringing together young visionaries from across the globe, the hackathon invites teams to pioneer innovative solutions to critical issues such as artificial intelligence, misinformation, hate speech, platform dominance, and threats to information integrity.

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Building on Past Successes

Following the 2024 edition—which attracted 202 teams from 68 countries and showcased the creativity and determination of global youth—UNESCO gears up for an even more impactful event in 2025.

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Theme & Objectives

The guiding theme for Youth Hackathon 2025 is “Youth Leading the Way: Building MIL Solutions for Impact.” Its objectives include:

Empowering youth to champion critical thinking in the digital age.
Fostering innovation and cultivating youth-led ownership and initiative.
Amplifying youth voices, ensuring they are heard, recognized, and supported.
Generating actionable insights with tangible, real-world impact.

Eligibility & Team Composition

UNESCO extends an open invitation to young changemakers aged 18 to 30, from all nations. Teams must consist of 3–6 members—who may be assembled at the national, regional, or international level—and are encouraged to reflect gender balance and inclusivity. Alignment with UNESCO’s core values—peace, respect for diversity, and freedom of expression—is essential. No prior experience is required—only passion and motivation.

Focus Areas for Innovation

Participants may propose solutions across several focus tracks:

AI and MIL: Addressing challenges posed by artificial intelligence through media and information literacy.
MIL Education: Crafting creative approaches for teaching and learning MIL in the digital age.
Community Impact: Innovating MIL interventions that empower communities.
Youth Engagement: Developing strategies that position youth organizations as MIL change agents.
Open Track: Any other MIL-related idea aligned with the theme.

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Submission Formats

Teams can present ideas in diverse, creative formats, including—but not limited to:

Games
Mobile applications or websites
Podcasts or radio programs
Artistic works (comics, short videos, documentaries)
Educational toolkits
Campaigns by youth organizations
Community-based interventions
Other tech-enabled modalities that drive MIL-based innovation.

Mentorship & Support

All registered participants will benefit from free online mentoring from international experts, offered in August 2025. This support includes guidance to refine proposals, deepen MIL understanding, and elevate project quality.

Awards & Final Showcase

Winners will be invited to present their projects at the Global MIL Week Conference, held on October 23–24, 2025, in Cartagena, Colombia. UNESCO will cover round-trip airfare and accommodation for all members of winning teams.

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Timeline & Deadlines

Though the official UNESCO page doesn’t specify submission deadlines, external sources provide clarity:

Online mentoring will take place in August 2025.
Final presentations at the Global MIL Week Conference are scheduled for October 23–24, 2025.
Several external outlets suggest a submission deadline of September 1, 2025—applicants should verify this and apply early.

Why It Matters

The Youth Hackathon reflects UNESCO’s deep belief that media and information literacy is foundational to democratic participation, and that youth are critical actors in this transformation. By offering mentorship, creative freedom, and global visibility, the initiative encourages a new generation to drive innovation, challenge digital misinformation, and elevate community resilience.

Past projects—from educational tools and games to applications and community campaigns—highlight the diversity of youth creativity and its potential to effect real change. UNESCO’s engagement not only boosts individual growth but also plants the seeds of long-term educational and societal impact.

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In Summary:

The UNESCO Youth Hackathon 2025 is a powerful global platform inviting young minds to propose creative solutions to the digital challenges we all face. With meaningful mentorship, all-expenses-paid travel for winners, and a global stage for showcasing impactful ideas, the hackathon is a gateway for youth to lead change and reshape our digital futures.

If you’d like, I can help draft a proposal outline, brainstorm project ideas, or locate the official application link. Just let me know—happy to support!