Council of Europe invites teams to sign up for the 2026 Democracy Hackathon

The Council of Europe has opened applications for the “Democracy Hackathon 2026”, a major European initiative focused on tackling online hate speech and leveraging technology to promote democracy. This year, the event will take place under Monaco’s Presidency of the COE’s Committee of Ministers.

The hackathon is designed to be a strategic consultation exercise and will contribute to the New Democratic Pact for Europe, running alongside the No Hate Speech Week. It will bring together developers, designers, researchers, public policy experts, journalists, non-profits, and innovators committed to democratic values, for three days in Strasbourg from 17 to 19 June 2026.

Twenty teams will be selected to take part in the hackathon, with successful applicants receiving:
• full funding for travel, accommodation and meals;
• mentoring and preparatory support from international experts, including specialists from the Technical University of Munich, the University of Strasbourg, Democracy Reporting International and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Microsoft will support a €50,000 grant fund to help winning teams develop and implement their projects.

Developing technology for human rights and innovation

The hackathon aims to encourage the development of technological solutions that respect fundamental rights and address the major challenges posed by hate speech, disinformation, and online abuse.

Participants will work on four key themes:
• Detecting hate speech while protecting privacy;
• Identifying coordinated online manipulation campaigns;
• Tackling online hate speech and gender-based violence during election periods;
• Developing innovative approaches to counter online hate speech.

Multidisciplinary teams encouraged

The Council of Europe is inviting applications from teams of three to four people with complementary expertise, including:
• a developer or technical specialist;
• an expert in democracy, public policy or human rights;
• a UX/UI designer or digital creative.

Application deadline: 5 June 2026

Teams should provide a concept note of no more than two pages outlining their vision, proposed solution, and how it is expected to help safeguard democratic debate.

Further information and applications

Applications can be submitted via the official hackathon platform: Democracy Hackathon - Council of Europe

About the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is the leading human rights organisation in Europe. It brings together 46 Member States and works to promote democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. Monaco holds the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the COE’s main decision-making body, from 15 May to 10 November 2026.