Background 
The EU Code Week Hackathons engage young people across Europe in exploring how digital technologies can respond to real societal challenges. Over several months, students aged 15–19 have collaborated in national and transnational teams, developing creative, code-based solutions supported by teachers, mentors, and National Hubs. The process emphasises not only technical skills, but also collaboration, problem solving, and social awareness.
The EU Code Week Hackathons Finals 2026 represent the culmination of this journey. The final event brings together finalist teams from across Europe to share their work, learn from one another, and celebrate their collective achievements in a shared European setting.

Rationale and Theme 
Digital skills are most meaningful when they are applied to real life contexts. The central theme of the event, “From Code to Community: Bridging Digital Skills and Social Impact,” highlights the connection between technical learning and societal value. It reflects the idea that coding can be a tool not only for innovation, but also for inclusion, civic engagement, and positive change within communities.
The Finals aim to demonstrate how young people can translate digital competences into practical solutions that address social needs, while strengthening their sense of responsibility and active citizenship.

Objectives
The event aims to celebrate the efforts and progress of hackathon participants, while providing visibility to their innovative ideas. It seeks to foster peer learning and cross-country exchange between finalist teams, encourage reflection on the learning journey, and strengthen connections between students, educators, National Hubs, and key stakeholders. Through a balanced evaluation process, the Finals also aim to recognise excellence in both technical and transversal skills.

Event Format and Audience 
The EU Code Week Hackathons Finals 2026 will take place online on 11 March 2026, from 12:00 to 14:00 CET, using Zoom. The online format ensures accessibility and allows wide participation from across Europe. The event targets hackathon finalist teams, teachers and mentors, National Hubs, jury members, and other stakeholders involved in digital education, youth engagement, and innovation.

Programme Overview 
The event will open with a welcome and interactive introduction, revisiting the hackathon journey and engaging the audience through live questions. An inspirational keynote will set the tone by reflecting youth innovation and the societal role of digital skills. A diverse jury panel representing education, industry, civil society, and European institutions will then be introduced. Inspirational contributions from winning teams of previous editions will provide peer-to-peer perspectives and motivate finalists. The core of the event will be the live pitches, during which ten finalist teams from different European countries will present their projects, followed by short question and answer sessions with the jury. While the jury deliberates, the wider audience will participate in a live vote, reinforcing engagement, and inclusion. The event will conclude with the announcement of winners, short acceptance speeches, and a celebratory closing moment, including a virtual group picture.

Evaluation and Awards
Projects will be assessed using transparent and clearly defined criteria, covering relevance, innovation, feasibility, teamwork, communication skills, and progress achieved throughout the hackathon process. Three award categories will be presented: Jury Vote, Audience Vote, and Combined Vote, ensuring a fair balance between expert assessment and community participation.

Expected Outcomes 
The Finals are expected to increase the visibility of young people’s digital and transversal skills, inspire continued engagement with technology for social good, and strengthen the European network of educators, hubs, and youth innovators. By showcasing how code can lead to tangible community impact, the event reinforces EU Code Week’s mission to promote inclusive and meaningful digital skills development across Europe.