Youth4Climate Services Innovation Hackathon 2026

Applications are open for the Youth4Climate Services Innovation Hackathon 2026, a regional initiative designed to support young innovators developing digital solutions for climate related challenges. Organised by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the hackathon aims to identify, test and promote youth led innovations that can strengthen the delivery, accessibility and use of climate services across the IGAD region.

The event will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from December 8 to 10, 2026. It will bring together young entrepreneurs, software developers, data scientists and multidisciplinary teams to demonstrate existing technologies and explain how their solutions can address practical challenges in the climate services value chain.

The initiative is intended for innovators aged 18 to 35 who are nationals of, or based in, an IGAD member state. A key requirement is that applicants must already have a functional climate related digital tool, product, platform or solution, or one that has reached the pilot stage. Ideas that exist only as concepts without a demonstrable solution will not be considered.

About the Youth4Climate Services Innovation Hackathon

Climate services provide information that helps individuals, communities, businesses and governments understand and respond to climate conditions and risks. These services can support decisions in agriculture, water management, disaster preparedness, public health and other climate sensitive sectors.

However, climate information is not always accessible or easy for people to use. Forecasts and technical data must often be translated into practical advice that responds to the needs of specific communities and industries.

The Youth4Climate Services Innovation Hackathon seeks to address this challenge by bringing forward digital solutions developed by young innovators. Participants will demonstrate how their technologies can improve the way climate information is produced, communicated, interpreted and applied.

The hackathon will focus on practical innovation rather than untested ideas. Applicants should be prepared to show how their solutions work, identify their intended users and explain their potential contribution to climate services.

Benefits of the Hackathon

The initiative offers opportunities for innovators to demonstrate their work, receive recognition and explore ways to develop their solutions further.

Potential benefits include:

• Financial awards: Outstanding solutions will receive financial awards intended to recognise innovation and support further development.
• Technical mentorship: Selected innovators may be connected with technical mentors who can help strengthen their solutions.
• Incubation and acceleration: Promising innovations may be linked to incubation or acceleration programmes, subject to partner commitments.
• Partnership opportunities: Participants may connect with organisations interested in piloting solutions or supporting institutional collaboration.
• Regional exposure: Innovators can present their work to experts and stakeholders involved in climate services across the IGAD region.
• Technical feedback: Participants can receive feedback on the functionality, relevance and potential impact of their products.
• Opportunities for scaling: The initiative aims to help promising solutions move towards practical application, wider use and institutional adoption.

Areas of Innovation

The hackathon welcomes existing digital solutions that improve different stages of the climate services value chain.

Relevant areas include:

Climate information and communication: Platforms that make weather and climate information easier to access, understand and use.

Sector specific climate advisories: Digital tools that translate forecasts and climate data into practical recommendations for sectors such as agriculture, water management and disaster preparedness.

Localised climate services: Solutions that tailor climate information to the needs of particular communities, locations or groups of users.

Climate risk communication: Tools that help communicate climate risks through accessible channels, including mobile applications and digital platforms.

User engagement: Technologies that improve interaction between climate information providers and the people who depend on their services.

Decision support tools: Digital products that integrate climate information into processes used by farmers, businesses, public institutions and communities.

Applicants working in related areas may also be considered if their solutions demonstrate a clear contribution to climate services.

Eligibility Requirements

The hackathon is open to young innovators who meet the following conditions:

• Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Geographic eligibility: Candidates must be nationals of, or based in, an IGAD member state, subject to the final eligibility guidelines.
• Existing solution: Applicants must have a climate related digital tool, platform, product or solution that is functional or at the pilot stage.
• Demonstration: Candidates must be able to demonstrate their innovation and explain how it works.
• User focus: Applicants must identify the intended users and explain how the solution responds to their needs.
• Development stage: Candidates must clearly describe the current development stage and the solution's potential contribution to climate services.
• Availability: Selected participants must be available to attend the hackathon and present their solutions in Nairobi from December 8 to 10, 2026.

The eligible IGAD member states are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Required Application Information

Applicants must provide information that allows the organisers to understand the innovation, its users and its potential value.

The application should include:

• A brief description of the innovation and the problem it addresses.
• An explanation of how the solution contributes to climate services.
• Identification of the part of the climate services value chain addressed by the innovation.
• A description of the intended users and how the product responds to their needs.
• Evidence of the solution's development stage, such as a working demonstration, prototype, screenshots, video or pilot results.
• An explanation of the innovation's distinctive features and advantages over existing approaches.
• Information about the innovator or team, including relevant skills and motivation for participating.
• A brief statement explaining the solution's potential for further development, practical application and scaling.

How to Apply

Interested innovators should submit their applications through the official channel before the deadline.

1. Review the official announcement: Visit the ICPAC website and read the hackathon details and eligibility guidelines.
2. Assess your eligibility: Confirm that you are between 18 and 35 years old and are a national of, or based in, an eligible IGAD member state.
3. Prepare your existing solution: Make sure your climate related digital product, platform or tool is functional or has reached the pilot stage.
4. Gather supporting evidence: Prepare a demonstration, prototype, screenshots, video or pilot results showing how the innovation works.
5. Prepare the application information: Explain the problem addressed, the intended users, the solution's contribution to climate services, its distinctive features and its potential for further development.
6. Submit your application: Complete the official application form and provide all requested information before November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. East Africa Time.