International Hackathon by Vodafone Foundation for Children and Youth

PARTICIPATION DEADLINE FOR “CITIES OF TOMORROW WITH AI” HACKATHON 19 NOVEMBER

The Global Vodafone Foundation is set to host an international hackathon for children and young people aged 6 to 19 across nine European countries, including Turkey, aimed at bridging the digital divide and fostering a more inclusive digital society. In Turkey, the competition will be held under the theme “Cities of Tomorrow with AI” Hackathon with a participation deadline of November 19.

The Global Vodafone Foundationis organizing a new hackathon for children and young people aged 6 to 19 across Europe. Taking place in Turkey, Germany, Albania, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, and Romania, the hackathon will be centered around the theme of “Closing the Digital Divide.” Participants will be encouraged to develop innovative ideas aimed at creating a more inclusive society through technology. Students will be motivated to create solutions aligned with three of the Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education (Goal 4), Gender Equality (Goal 5), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 11). In Turkey, the competition will be conducted in collaboration with the Habitat Association under the title “Cities of Tomorrow with AI” Hackathon, with a final application deadline set for November 19.

Hasan Süel, the Chair of Vodafone Turkey Foundation, stated:

“We continue to drive our Foundation projects, which are shaped according to the social needs of our country, without losing momentum. Most recently, with our ‘Artificial Intelligence Stars’ initiative, launched in partnership with the Habitat Association, our goal is to empower young generations by equipping them with technological skills, enabling them to merge their creative ideas with the emerging technologies of today, particularly artificial intelligence. Now, we are reaching out to youth through the hackathon initiated by our Global Foundation, spanning nine European countries, including Turkey. Through this competition, we aim not only to enhance the technical expertise of participants—whose potential and creativity we champion—but also to nurture their passion, innovation, and capacity to transform ideas into impactful solutions. At the Vodafone Foundation, we remain committed to shaping a brighter future for young generations.”

Bora Caldu, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat Association, commented as:

“Artificial intelligence is a critical tool for shaping the future of our cities. At Habitat Association, we are committed to adding value to society through projects that support digital transformation and sustainable development. The ‘Cities of Tomorrow with Artificial Intelligence’ Hackathon, organized in collaboration with Vodafone Foundation, is a testament to our efforts. This hackathon encourages young people to address urban challenges by blending their innovative ideas with technology. Participants will contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future by developing both their technical skills and social awareness. We are also proud that the top finalists will represent our country in the global final in Romania. Empowering young generations to explore advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and develop creative solutions will enable our society to make significant strides in bridging the digital divide.”

Addressing Urban Challenges with Innovative Solutions

Participants in the “Cities of Tomorrow with AI Hackathon” are required to first analyze and identify key issues within their cities. They are then expected to propose a sustainable solution leveraging artificial intelligence technology and develop a prototype. Finally, participants will prepare a concise presentation outlining the identified challenge and their proposed solution, which they will showcase in the competition’s final round. The application form is accessible on the Habitat Association website here .

Award Ceremony to be Held in Romania

Projects that rank in the hackathon will be invited to the awards ceremony, set to take place in Bucharest, Romania, in March 2025. This experience will offer students the opportunity to gain international exposure and observe how other countries approach solutions to bridge the digital divide.

33% of the World’s Population Remains Offline

According to the latest report by the World Economic Forum, 33% of the global population—equivalent to 2.6 billion people—remains offline and lags in technological advancement. This “digital divide” persists due to barriers such as the unaffordability of data services and devices, lack of essential digital skills, and limited access to digital infrastructure and skill development opportunities. As part of its commitment to addressing this issue directly, the Vodafone Foundation has launched the Skills Upload Jr. Challenge initiative.

Reaching 8.2 Million People Across Europe

The Skills Upload Jr. Challenge initiative is supported by the Skills Upload Jr program, which, since its launch in 2021, has reached 7.5 million students, 600,000 teachers, and a total of 8.2 million people across Europe. This program is part of the Vodafone Foundation's broader strategic focus on promoting inclusivity through digital learning. The Skills Upload Jr. Challenge methodology is based on a design-thinking model, encouraging students to propose technology-driven solutions to the issues most affecting their regions. Through this initiative, the Vodafone Foundation aims to raise awareness among young people about existing inequalities and to inspire them to recognize the potential of technology in bridging these gaps. This endeavor reflects the company's commitment to fostering social inclusion and closing the digital divide.

Skills Upload Jr. Website Now Live

Alongside the launch of the competition, the Vodafone Foundation has introduced a new website, www.skillsuploadjr.eu , offering information about the program to students and educators across Europe.