Young people aged 19–29 developed digital solutions for local challenges

My Idea is Future: Digital Solutions Hackathon for Youth was successfully completed under the Today’s Youth, Future’s Job project, implemented with the financial support of the European Union and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT). Young participants from provinces where the Digital Youth Centers (DİGEM) are located, developed digital projects addressing local needs and municipal challenges, and the best projects were awarded.

Organized in collaboration with Kodluyoruz, the hackathon brought together young people aged 19–29, who over the course of three days developed mobile applications, AI-based solutions, data-driven models, and web platforms with the support of mentors. The hackathon aimed to help youth produce innovative ideas, develop prototypes and create digital solutions that are applicable at the local level and have sustainable social impact.

A total of 39 young participants representing 24 shortlisted projects took part in an intensive three-day hackathon program in Ankara between 5–7 November and presented their work to the jury.

The projects were evaluated by a jury consisting of Prof. Dr. Meltem Gönenç Eryılmaz, Department of Software Engineering, OSTİM Technical University; Prof. Dr. Ömer Delialioğlu, Advisor to the Rector, Middle East Technical University; Seray Altıntaş Boynuyoğun, IBM Customer Engineering Leader and Esra Köylüoğlu, Director of Operations, Kodluyoruz.

Winners of the “My Idea is Future: Digital Solutions Hackathon for Youth” announced

The Group 1st Prize for Most Applicable Digital Solution at Local Level was awarded to Merve Sulubahçe and Furkan Baştepe from Eskişehir.

In the Individual Category, the 1st Prize went to Ceylin Çaltepe from Manisa;
the 2nd Prize to Betül Kaya from Adana; and the 3rd Prize to Yasemin Yılmaz from Istanbul.

Additionally, Yavuz Selim Erbay from Istanbul received the Special Award for Most Inclusive Idea (Individual), while Mehmet Yalaz and Zülbiye İrem Morkoç from Bursa received the Special Award for Most Inclusive Idea (Group).

Speaking at the award ceremony, UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative Monica Merino stated: “The Hackathon is more than a competition – it is a platform for empowerment. It shows that when youth are supported, they create solutions that are both innovative and socially meaningful. The projects presented here tackled real issues—from sustainability to community wellbeing. Your ideas and energy are shaping a more inclusive and digital Türkiye.”

Youth developed solutions that create local impact

Throughout the process, participants worked on digital approaches addressing the needs of provinces and districts where DİGEMs operate, urban and rural challenges faced by municipalities, and accessibility and inclusiveness for disadvantaged groups. Projects were evaluated based on applicability, social impact, innovation, and sustainability. Young participants received one-on-one mentoring on mobile development, artificial intelligence, MVP development and user testing, project development, and presentation skills.

From mobile applications to waste tracking systems, from agricultural solutions to accessibility technologies, and from digital learning tools to socially inclusive platforms, many of the projects were designed to support the digital transformation goals of local governments.

As part of the Today’s Youth, Future Jobs project, funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with UNDP and TBB, Digital Youth Centers have been established in 45 municipalities. These centers provide young people with opportunities in digital skills, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The My Idea is Future Hackathon, which encourages young people to transform their skills into real-life solutions, is an important component of this broader effort.