Kreativdistrikt

01/06/2026

The Democracy Hackathon is almost here! 😵‍💫

Don't miss your chance to shape European democracy!

Register to participate in the Council of Europe Democracy Hackathon – a unique initiative to combat online hate speech and innovate for democracy through tech solutions at a critical time.

Organised under the for Europe and jointly with the this Hackathon calls on the brightest minds in tech and democracy to innovate for our societies.

Open to residents of the 46 Council of Europe member states.
Apply now: https://democracyhackathon.coe.int
❗ Deadline: 5 June 2026, 12:00 CET

29/05/2026

You still have some time left to register! 🚨⏰

🚨Applications closing soon!

The Council of Europe is launching call for applicants for the 2026 Democracy Hackathon - a unique initiative bringing together tech developers, designers, and democracy experts to combat online hate speech and innovate for democratic resilience.

Organised as a milestone of the New Democratic Pact for Europe and jointly with , the Hackathon is held under the auspices of the Monaco Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Participants will benefit from:
→ An all-expenses-paid trip to Strasbourg (for 20 selected teams)
→ Expert mentorship from the Technical University of Munich, the University of Strasbourg, Democracy Reporting International, and the Institute of Strategic Dialogue
→ Winning teams will share a €50,000 Microsoft grant, as well as receive post-event mentoring and implementation support provided by the Council of Europe.

📅 17–19 June 2026 | Palais de l'Europe, Strasbourg, France
Open to residents of the 46 Council of Europe member states.

Apply here: https://democracyhackathon.coe.int/
❗️Deadline: 5 June 2026!

14/05/2026

👉 Apply now: https://democracyhackathon.coe.int

Join the Democracy Hackathon and build tech solutions against online hate speech.

Compete for a €50,000 Microsoft grant, gain expert mentorship, and get a fully funded trip to Strasbourg (selected teams).

10/04/2026

Shaping Belgium’s Hydrogen Future in 72 Hours +
Kreativdistrikt team designed and executed the Hydrogen HiveMinds Ideathon for Ghent University and BE-HyFE. We transformed 29 PhD researchers into "HiveMinds" to co-create actionable 2050 energy pathways. We connected academia and industry leaders, turning complex science into a national success story.
Full Story:

Explore key moments, winning ideas, and expert insights from the Hydrogen Hiveminds Ideathon — In the race toward a carbon-neutral Europe.

07/04/2026

Announcing the FLIR App Challenge Winners! 🏆🔥
The results are in! After a journey that began back in September, we are proud to crown the champions of the FLIR App Challenge.
From the Submission Period (Sept–Dec 2025) to the intensive Development Phase earlier this year, our finalists have worked tirelessly using the FLIR ACE platform to redefine thermal imaging. Today, the wait is over!
🥇 1st Place: SolarSnap (Bangladesh) – A game-changing solution for the solar industry. They take home the $5,000 grand prize and a FLIR One Edge Pro!
🥈 2nd Place: Reahx Devs (USA) – Outstanding technical ex*****on, earning a FLIR One Edge Pro to fuel their next phase of growth.
Thank you for pushing the limits of the FLIR ACE SDK. The future of thermography is here!🚀🚀

Teledyne FLIR

29/07/2025

Hear from the winners!

05/06/2025

🚨 The results are in! 🚨
After an intense and competitive process with 284 ideas submitted, we have completed the selection of teams for the Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon, taking place at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg, France.

🌍 Selected teams come from across the Council of Europe member states, including:
🇦🇱 Albania | 🇫🇷 France | 🇬🇪 Georgia | 🇮🇹 Italy | 🇲🇩 Moldova | 🇲🇪 Montenegro | 🇳🇴 Norway | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 🇷🇸 Serbia
Each selected team will travel free of charge to Strasbourg to take part in this unique experience, battling for the top spot and a €3,000 prize 💰🏆.
This hackathon is more than a competition; it's a call to action for young minds to defend democracy in the digital age.
Let the countdown begin!

29/05/2025

🎉 Registrations are officially closed! 🎉
After an intense final sprint, we're thrilled to share that 284 ideas have been submitted for the Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon, with over 1,000 teammates from across the Council of Europe member states!
The creativity, passion, and commitment shown by all applicants are truly inspiring. 💡🧠💪
A massive THANK YOU to everyone, and GOOD LUCK! You’ll receive confirmation soon.
The 10 selected teams will be joining us in Strasbourg for an unforgettable hackathon experience! https://democracysfirewall.com/

23/05/2025

🔍 The review phase is in full swing!
Our dedicated mentors are hard at work, reviewing submissions for the Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon and aligning the complex intersections of Law & Compliance, Computer Science, and Empathy & Feasibility — the three key pillars of this challenge.
💻 👉 https://democracysfirewall.com/
👥 Empathy & Feasibility
Arturo Ortega Z. – Founder of TCUX, problem-solving strategist, innovation consultant, mentor & speaker
Flora Kopelou – Communications Manager at data.europa.eu and mentor at WHEN (Women’s Hub for Empowerment & Networking)
Natalia Voutova – Behavioural Scientist, State Policy Design, Rule of Law and Human Rights expert, Head of Office | LSE & Paris Panthéon Assas
💻 Computer Science
Thomas Lampert – Professor of Computer Science, University of Strasbourg, AI expert for the Council of Europe
Amaury Fouret – Data Scientist, French Court of Cassation
⚖️ Law & Compliance
Cesare Pitea – Council of Europe, Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity
Maja Cappello – Head of Legal Information at the European Audiovisual Observatory, Council of Europe
Stay tuned as we spotlight each of these mentors and the critical perspectives they bring to the table. Council of Europe

23/04/2025

🛡️ Ready to rethink the future of democracy?
Disinformation is a huge threat facing our democratic societies — and it’s time to fight back.
The Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon is gathering brilliant minds in Strasbourg under the aegis of the Council of Europe to co-create bold, practical solutions to protect democratic values in the digital age.
💡 Are you a developer, legal expert, policy thinker or digital strategist?
This is your chance to:
✔️ Travel with your team FOR FREE to Strasbourg
✔️ Collaborate with like-minded changemakers
✔️ Compete for a €3,000 prize
✔️ Help shape the next wave of democratic resilience
🚨 Spots are limited — apply now to be part of this unique European event!
🔗 https://democracysfirewall.com/

Join the Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon, powered by the Council of Europe, to create tech solutions defending democracy from digital threats.