Organized by

Official Partners

What

The Data and Innovation for Refugee Inclusion Hackathon is a joint initiative of the University of Trento and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, designed to showcase the potential of data science in addressing humanitarian challenges. Open to the entire UNITN student community, the event offers participants the opportunity to work with real-world data and generate evidence to support vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa.

The hackathon brings together technical expertise, social awareness, and a strong focus on the ethical use of data. By tackling real-world problems, students will develop analyses, models, and data visualizations that can contribute to UNHCR’s decision-making processes and humanitarian interventions.

When 

The Data and Innovation for Refugee Inclusion Hackathon will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2026.

• On September 30, a public dissemination event will be held to raise awareness of the role of data science in addressing humanitarian challenges. 

• The hackathon activities will take place on 1–2 October and will include the presentation of the challenge, teamwork sessions, mentoring activities, and the final awards ceremony.

Stay tuned for more info!

How to Join

Are you passionate about data, social impact, or humanitarian challenges? Join the Data and Innovation for Refugee Inclusion Hackathon to work on real-world problems, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and help generate insights that can support vulnerable populations. Apply now and turn your ideas into action.

We welcome students from all backgrounds who are motivated to learn, collaborate, and contribute to evidence-based solutions that can support vulnerable communities. There are no technical prerequisites to join the hackathon; however, having some experience with data analysis will be helpful. 

The hackathon is team-based. You may apply as part of a pre-formed team or as an individual participant. If you apply individually, we will match you with a team to ensure a diverse mix of skills and perspectives, fostering collaboration and innovation throughout the event.

The winning team will receive a one-year subscription to Internazionale, offering access to internationale news, analysis, and perspective from around the world.

Registration is open: apply here until September 26, 2026

Mentors