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!
Salute the Winners!
The Fact-Checking Foxes!
Meet Leonardo Zilli, Lucia Bertoldini, Maja-Magdalena Klein, and Shifana Sherin, the brilliant minds behind (F)actually, the winning solution of Democracy’s Firewall.
(F)actually is an educational platform that uses real-life news and social media claims to teach users how to spot misinformation. Through a gamified experience, users step into the role of a fact-checker, receive guided hints, and get immediate, evidence-based feedback, including legal and media literacy insights.
What sets it apart? Its depth. The platform doesn’t just ask users to judge content — it explains why it’s misleading and why it matters. A companion dashboard also tracks misinformation trends in real time, helping users and professionals see the bigger picture.
With a strong focus on prebunking, legal context, and democratic values, (F)actually equips citizens to think critically and stay one step ahead of disinformation.
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:
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Expose fake accounts and disinformation networks
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Improve transparency in content moderation algorithms
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Boost access to reliable, pluralistic information
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out the photos of this amazing event!
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.
*Please make sure to read the terms and conditions and privacy policy
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
Maja Cappello
Head of the Department for Legal Information at the European Audiovisual Observatory at the Council of Europe
Jury
Alain Berset
Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Maja Zaric
Chair of the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society, Council of Europe
George Papandreou
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, General Rapporteur on Democracy – Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
Sabina Cudic
Member of the House of Representatives, Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sabine Cullmann
Academic Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Strasbourg
Alain Mielle
Head of Technological Innovation at the Council of Europe
Rares Voicu
President of the European Youth Forum
Hackathon’s Agenda
Get ready for the Hackathon in June!
- Registrations: 15 April – 28 May
- Selected teams' announcement: 2 June
- Warm-up Online Sessions: 5 - 16 June
- Hackathon in Strasbourg: 20 June
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The Hackathon is organised by the Council of Europe. All rights reserved.