The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has opened applications for the Youth4Climate Services Innovation Hackathon 2026, targeting young innovators developing digital solutions to improve access to and use of climate information across the IGAD region.
Scheduled for December 8–10, 2026, the hackathon will provide a platform for participants to demonstrate how their existing climate-related innovations can address practical challenges across the climate services value chain.
The initiative focuses on functional or pilot-stage solutions that translate climate information into actionable advice, strengthen climate risk communication, respond to local needs and support climate-sensitive decision-making.
The programme seeks to address the gap between the availability of climate information and its practical application by farmers, businesses and communities. Its central objective is to strengthen youth-led innovations that make climate information more accessible, relevant and useful to different groups of users.
For young entrepreneurs and technology innovators across the IGAD region, the hackathon presents an opportunity to showcase existing solutions, compete for financial awards and potentially establish connections with mentors and partners who can support further development.
Benefits of the Hackathon
Selected innovators will have access to several opportunities designed to support the development and wider application of their solutions.
These include financial awards for outstanding innovations to facilitate further development, as well as potential connections with technical mentors who can provide guidance.
Participants may also gain access to incubation and acceleration programmes, depending on partner commitments. Other opportunities include establishing partnerships with organisations interested in piloting their solutions or supporting institutional collaboration.
The initiative also seeks to provide support that could help promising innovations advance towards practical application and broader adoption.
Submissions will be assessed based on functionality, relevance to climate services, user-centred design, potential impact and prospects for further development and scaling.
However, access to additional support and partnership opportunities will depend on the commitments of participating partners.
Who Can Apply?
The hackathon is open to young innovators, entrepreneurs, software developers, data scientists and multidisciplinary teams developing climate-related solutions across the IGAD region.
To qualify, applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and must either be nationals of or reside in an IGAD member state, subject to the final eligibility guidelines.
Applicants are also required to have an existing climate-related digital innovation, such as a functional tool, platform, product or pilot-stage solution.
They must demonstrate how their innovation works, identify its intended users, explain its current development stage and establish its contribution to climate services.
Successful applicants must also be available to participate in the hackathon and present their innovations to technical experts, evaluators and potential partners.
All required application information and supporting materials must be submitted before the deadline.
The organisers have clarified that proposals existing only as concepts, without a demonstrable solution, will not qualify.
What Types of Innovations Are Eligible?
The hackathon is seeking existing digital innovations capable of addressing practical challenges within the climate services value chain.
Eligible solutions may include technologies that convert climate information into sector-specific advisories, adapt climate services to the needs of local communities and communicate climate risks through accessible channels.
Other relevant areas include improving user engagement with climate information and integrating climate data into digital tools that support climate-sensitive decisions.
Applicants are expected to explain the specific problem their innovations address and demonstrate how the solutions could improve the delivery or practical use of climate information.
Application Requirements
Interested applicants must provide comprehensive information about their innovations and demonstrate their current development progress.
The required application materials include:
1. Innovation description: A brief explanation of the solution and the problem it is designed to address.
2. Climate services contribution: An explanation of how the innovation supports climate services and the specific part of the value chain it addresses.
3. Target users: Details of the intended users and how the solution responds to their needs.
4. Evidence of development: A working demonstration, prototype, screenshots, video or pilot results showing the current stage of the innovation.
5. Distinctive features: An explanation of the solution’s unique characteristics and potential value compared with existing approaches.
6. Innovator information: Details about the individual applicant or team, including relevant skills and motivation for participating in the hackathon.
7. Scaling potential: A brief explanation of how the innovation could be further developed, implemented in practical settings and expanded.
Applicants are encouraged to ensure their submissions clearly demonstrate the functionality of their solutions and their potential contribution to improving climate services.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Youth4Climate Services Innovation Hackathon 2026 close on November 6, 2026.
Eligible young innovators are expected to submit their applications and supporting documents before the deadline to be considered for participation in the December event.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their innovation details and supporting materials through the designated application process.
Applications can be submitted using the following channels:
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Application email: youthcoalition@igad.int
The hackathon will take place from December 8 to 10, 2026.
SOURCE: MSME Africa Online
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