On 21–22 August, the internationalhackathon “Nobody’s Coming to Save Us” took place in Ljubljana (Slovenia), bringing together more than 60 young people from Portugal, Slovenia and Estonia.

Over two days, participants worked in international teams to explore challenges related to active citizenship and youth participation, sharing perspectives, identifying community issues and developing creative solutions. With mentoring in AI, public speaking and European participation, they turned their ideas into concrete proposals for local initiatives, which they presented at the end of the Hackathon.

The hackathon was part of the LOUD & CLEAR project, which promotes young people’s democratic and civic participation through non-formal education and youth-led activities. Here are some impressions from the Estonian team members:

“The hackathon was a really interesting and inspiring experience. We had a very diverse group of people, which brought different perspectives to the challenges and solutions around active citizenship. Working together and exchanging ideas made the whole process much more engaging and helped us look at the topic from different angles.

Throughout the hackathon, we also had great workshops and support from our mentors, who guided us through the process and helped us develop our ideas further. At the end, each team presented their pitch, and I really enjoyed seeing the variety of problems people had identified and the creative solutions they came up with. One of the biggest highlights was definitely the closing and prize ceremony. A famous Slovenian rapper joined us, shared his perspective on active citizenship, and then gave us an amazing concert. It was such a fun and memorable way to finish an already inspiring experience, and it made the hackathon feel even more special.”

Melih Kurtaran

“What I found most interesting about the Loud&Clear Hackathon was the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. It was interesting to see how differently people approach the same problem and how these different ideas can come together to create a stronger solution. I also enjoyed the process of turning an idea into something more concrete within a limited amount of time. The experience was challenging, but it encouraged me to be more open, flexible and willing to experiment.

One of my biggest learnings was the importance of communication and teamwork. Having a good idea is only one part of the process, but being able to explain it clearly, listen to others and adapt based on feedback is just as important. I also learned that it is okay not to have everything figured out from the beginning. Sometimes the best ideas develop through discussion, testing and even making mistakes.

I want to use what I learned in future projects, especially when working in teams with people who have different experiences and ways of thinking. I will try to communicate my ideas more clearly, listen more actively to feedback and be less afraid of testing an idea before it is perfect.

I also hope to carry the same mindset into other opportunities where I can contribute to social impact and youth participation. The hackathon reminded me that meaningful ideas can start small, and that collaboration can turn them into something much more impactful.”

Katarina Oolo

“I had a great time during the Loud&Clear Hackathon in Slovenia. It was my first ever hackathon and it was the most intensive project for me. Even though we had to make up the solutions for 5 different problems really quickly, it was pleasantly challenging and fascinating. I learned how to work under time pressure and with an unclear task. Our international group with people from Estonia, Slovenia and Portugal had a lot of different ideas, and we got 3rd place for it, which was the most memorable moment. In addition, I got an opportunity to explore the city and make valuable connections with other participants.”

Maria Mishatova

“One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the opportunity to meet and build  connections with people from diverse backgrounds. Working in teams consisting of young people from different parts of Europe proved to be both productive and inspiring, as everyone brought their own experiences, perspectives, аnd ideаs to the table. This diversity аllowed us to approach challenges from different angles and find solutions that benefited the entire team.

I am also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to explore such a beautiful country as Sloveniа. The experience not only broadened my perspective but also gave me unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a deeper аppreciation for European cooperation and cultural diversity.“

Veronika Grankina

“In my opinion, the most interesting thing about the whole project was how I got to work with people from different cultures and how I saw how different people worked and thought. For example, Estonian and Portuguese teenagers use completely different social media platforms. Even though we came from different countries and had different experiences, we were able to share ideas and find solutions together. And for a weekend we got to live the same lifestyle and after that just go back to normal not seeing each other for a long time.

My biggest learning was how important teamwork and communication are when working with people from different backgrounds. I learned that everyone brings different ideas and perspectives, and sometimes the best solution comes from combining them. I also learned that it is important to listen to other people and be open to changing your own ideas if someone has something better to present. 

I learn to use it definitely in my future programs by being more social and talking with more people. I also want to keep working on ideas that can have a positive impact on my community and involve other young people in creating them. And spread the ideas I got from the project with my school mates.”

Kahrut Kiur Keskel

“I really enjoyed my first hackathon. I have done multiple exchanges and training courses but this hackathon was completely different. I like that it was heavily focused on finding and creating solutions and that there was a motivating prize for the group that came up with the most unique project.

I learned that working in an international group with such a limited amount of time requires a lot of brainwork and that when attending my next hackathon I should prioritise good sleep before arriving at the project. In the future I will definitely use the knowledge that my teammates gave me and I will be more confident in sharing my ideas.”

Anna Ingrem Rebane

“This was the second hackathon that I’ve taken part of, where Loud and Clear was the first one I attended abroad. As someone with little travel experience attending my first project, I found my first time very refreshing and lovely – when my first hackathon had a schedule that stretched into midnight hours, I found this hackathon to be much more humane. Since our days ended every day at 6 P.M, we got to use that time to explore Ljubljana, which quickly became one of the prettiest cities I’ve been in.

This project was also a great lesson for me in how to communicate with people from different backgrounds: in my everyday studies, I’m used to working with people from more technical backgrounds. Thus when I was placed in a group with people, who mainly specialise in social studies and who come from such diverse backgrounds, it really made for a interesting dynamic with a lot of great discussions about how society could be better constructed. I think this variety made for some really great ideas, which in the end got rewarded with us winning 1st place :).

Overall, this hackathon was a big success for me. Aside from Ljubljana itself, which was a lovely country to visit, I find that this project made me infinitely better and more confident in group work – previously, I used to be scared to present my ideas in a group. This project however taught me that having confidence in your ideas can other times pay off big time.”

Sander Lind

“This hackathon turned out to be a truly new and inspiring experience for me, given that I have never participated in one before. It turned out to be special also because my team got second place which took us by surprise and clearly was a signal that our efforts did not go unseen. I actually got an idea of hackathon  as a project and platform for youngsters to work together and make  their voices heard but also learned more about active citizenship as a concept and its situation in Slovenia and Portugal that participated along with Estonia.

Despite three countries being participants of the hackathon, I also met people from other neighbouring countries, heard their stories and learned about their lives which is always a special experience. In a non-formal way, while sharing experiences and brainstorming, I also got an idea of youth institutions and initiatives in project countries where young people try to make their voices heard and their ideas and needs considered. I also had quite a friendly Estonian team though it was quite big consisting of 12 people, we got along well and managed to get to know each other in such a short time frame.  After the hackathon, I had a chance to see a bit of Slovenia which left me amazed to the point that once I will definitely come back! 

This hackathon challenged me to work with people of different backgrounds (also different specialties than mine) and to stand for my ideas and myself when needed. I improved my public speaking skills and organising and preparation skills in a short time frame. These learnings are definitely going to be of help throughout my life, be it university studies or working meetings or moving around the world and volunteering in new communities.”

Ariana Selivanova

“This hackathon was an unreal experience for me. I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people from Estonia, Slovenia, and Portugal, and work together with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. The topic itself was incredibly intriguing, especially learning about the intricacies of the European Union and national laws, regulations, and how they shape the way communities function. It was definitely something new for me, and I learned a lot from the experience.

I am really proud of what our team accomplished. We worked through the problem, challenged each other’s ideas, and developed solutions that could actually be realised. More importantly, the experience motivated me to continue exploring this topic beyond the hackathon and think about how I could contribute to it.

And then there was Ljubljana. It is easily one of the most beautiful cities I have visited. The view from the castle was mesmerising, but what made the experience truly special were the people I met along the way. I made new friends, shared countless conversations and laughs, and created memories that I know I will carry with me for a long time. Exploring the city at night with everyone was probably one of my favourite parts of the entire trip.”

Arnab Saha