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A COUNCIL OF EUROPE HACKATHON – 20 June 2025

Ready to rethink the future of democracy? Join the Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon and turn bold ideas into powerful solutions against disinformation.

Apply to join us in Strasbourg and win €3,000 and help shape Europe’s response to disinformation!

Register now!

Help Defend Democracy

Online disinformation is one of the biggest threats to democracy today. It erodes trust, fuels polarisation, and distorts elections — and it’s getting smarter.

The Council of Europe is calling on creative minds to design bold, scalable solutions that:

Expose fake accounts and disinformation networks
Improve transparency in content moderation algorithms
Boost access to reliable, pluralistic information
Build public resilience through education and critical thinking

From AI tools to educational platforms or policy innovations — if it’s feasible, impactful, and grounded in human rights, we want to see it.

Are you up for the challenge?

Who can participate

Participants should apply as teams. Anyone residing in a Council of Europe member state is eligible to join. Teams should be multidisciplinary, and participants are strongly encouraged to form groups that reflect gender diversity.

Selected teams will be invited to Strasbourg for the final event, with all transport and accommodation costs fully covered by the Council of Europe.

Terms and conditions

Ideal team

Media and Communication

Encompassing journalism, digital storytelling, and strategic communication.

Political Sciences

Focused on civic engagement, democratic innovation, and public policy.

Law and Policy

Focused on legal and policy frameworks that promote multistakeholder decision-making processes and boost public trust.

Information Technology

Including AI, data science, programming, and cybersecurity.

Register now!

Concept Summary Submission

The First Step to participate

To be considered for the hackathon, participants must submit a Concept Summary (3 pages maximum) outlining their proposed solution, along with registering their teammates. The summary should include:

A brief description of your solution and how it addresses the challenge
Key features of your solution
Teams may consist of up to 5 participants, all of whom must be residents of a Council of Europe member state.

Ensure your Concept Summary clearly demonstrates how your solution can solve the challenge. Additionally, ensure all team members are registered for participation. Only selected teams will move forward to develop their full solutions during the hackathon.

Register now!

Participants are encouraged to explore the following angles:

Exposing Malicious Infrastructure

Uncover the hidden systems behind disinformation — from bot networks to fake accounts. This angle focuses on detecting and disrupting coordinated online manipulation.

Increase Algorithmic Transparency

Help users understand how platforms shape what they see. This challenge is about revealing how algorithms rank, promote, and moderate content.

Boosting Access to Reliable Information

Shift the spotlight to trustworthy, diverse news. The goal: reduce echo chambers and surface content that supports informed, democratic debate.

Empowering Critical Thinking Skills

Empower people to spot and resist disinfo. This challenge supports tools and campaigns that boost media literacy, critical thinking, and awareness.

Terms and conditions

Privacy policy

Registrations are now officially closed!

*Please make sure to read the terms and conditions and privacy policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for this event?

No, the event is free of charge for the teams selected for participation in this Hackathon. In addition to that, all essential expenses related to their participation (travel, accommodation, meals) are covered by the Organisers.

Should I bring my laptop?

Every participating team will be provided with one standard workstation containing a PC. You are, however, encouraged to bring your own laptops for a more comfortable experience.

What kind of support will mentors provide during the hackathon?

Mentors will be available throughout the event to guide teams on strategy, ethics, and technical aspects. They’ll help refine ideas, give feedback, and ensure your project aligns with the challenge goals.

What is the duration of the hackathon?

The hackathon includes three online warm-up sessions in the weeks leading up to the event, followed by a full-day final in-person event in Strasbourg.

Where is the event going to take place?

The event will take place in the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasburg, France!

Will the accommodation be included?

Yes, the accommodation for all participants is arranged and covered by the Organisers.

What are the prizes for the winners?

The winner of the hackathon will take home €3,000•! The winning solution could receive further support by the Council of Europe to enable its implementation. Terms and conditions may apply to your specific country of residence.

Terms and conditions

Hackathon’s Agenda

Get ready for the Hackathon in June!

Registrations: 15 April – 28 May
Selected teams’ announcement: 2 June
Warm-up online sessions: 6 – 16 June
Hackathon in Strasbourg: 20 June

Warm-up Online Sessions

Hackathon Journey Begins

Thomas Lampert & Amaury Fouret
Focus: Computer Science
6 June @ 16:00 CET

Empathy Meets Feasibility

Arturo Ortega, Flora Kopelou, & Natalia Voutova
Focus: Empathic and Feasibility
9 June @ 16:00 CET

Law, Rights & Compliance

Cesare Pitea
Focus: Legal & Compliance Frameworks
16 June @ 16:00 CET

Democracy’s Firewall hackathon

08:00 – Registration Opens
09:00 – Welcome & Opening Remarks
09:30 – Introduction to the Hackathon Challenge // Introduction of Mentors
10:00 – Teams’ Live Pitches!
10:30 – Hackathon Begins
12:15 – Lunch Break
13:00 – Teamwork & Mentorship Sessions
18:30 – Final Sprint: Project Polishing & Presentation Prep
19:00 – Final Deliverable Submission – Pencils Down
19:30 – Dragon’s Den-Style Pitch Competition Begins
20:55 – Reception at the Parliamentarians’ Bar // Judges Deliberation
21:25 – Awards Ceremony & Concert begins

Get Ready To Travel to Strasbourg And Win Over €3,000 In Prizes!

Audience present

Teams on-site

Participants online

MODERATORS

Mark Davis

Negotiation Skills & Strategy Expert | Founder CEO of The Negotiation Initiative | Premier League Mentor | Keynote Speaker

Tea Mustac

AI Governance and Privacy Specialist at Spirit Legal | Head of Operations at the Institute for Global Negotiation

Mentors

Thomas Lampert

Professor of Computer Science, University of Strasbourg, specialising in Artificial Intelligence | Expert in AI for the Council of Europe

Amaury Fouret

Data Scientist, Cour de cassation (Court of cassation), France

Flora Kopelou

Flora Kopelou, Communications Manager at data.europa.eu (Publications Office of the European Union) and mentor at WHEN (Women’s Hub for Empowerment & Networking)

Arturo Ortega

TCUX founder, problem-solving strategist, Innovation consultant, mentor & speaker

Natalia Voutova

Social & Behaviour Change Lead at Council of Europe | Head of Council of Europe Office to Georgia.

Cesare Pitea

Council of Europe, Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity, Freedom of Expression and Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) Division