What happens when universities, NGOs, tech companies, and public authorities work on the same problem? DigiEduHack gives us a rare look at the answer.

This year, 74 registered challenges across 31 countries and the organisations hosting them were very different. Universities led 27 hackathons, while 13 came from NGOs. Secondary schools hosted 6, private companies ran 9, and public authorities organised 4. VET providers, research centres, and non-formal education organisations complete the list.

DigiEduHack is one of the few ecosystems where all these sectors innovate side by side. But these aren’t just numbers, they represent something unusual in the education innovation space. In this cross-sector community a secondary school in one country and a tech startup in another are working on parallel challenges, learning from each other's approaches, and building solutions that no single sector could create alone.

Different sectors – shared purpose

The diversity of hosts wasn't just demographic - it shaped how each hackathon unfolded and what it achieved.

DigiEduHack 2025 proved to be an inspiring and deeply rewarding experience for its hosts across the globe. Beyond empowering participants with new skills and ideas, the hackathons reignited a strong spirit of collaboration—one that lies at the heart of the community. From local initiatives to nationwide efforts, hosts consistently highlighted the value of working together to foster creativity, inclusion, and meaningful impact in digital education.

Universities brought scale and reach

The sense of ownership and collective ambition was evident in Mexico, where Jan from Tecnológico de Monterrey led the organisation of a nationwide DigiEduHack. “It was my great honour to lead the organisation of this nationwide initiative,” he said. “Together, we are building the future of education — one idea at a time.” His words capture the long-term vision that many hosts associate with positioning education institutions as the heart of innovating

NGOs extended impact beyond the event itself

In Denmark, Bonolab extended the impact of their hackathon even before it began. While preparing for the event, the team launched a free online course, Digital Storytelling for Blue Citizenship, developed from the learning content created for hackathon participants. This initiative exemplified how DigiEduHack can act as a catalyst for broader learning opportunities and long-term engagement beyond the event itself.

Tech organisations focused on civic outcomes

Similarly driven by a clear educational mission, Tech for Portugal described their hackathon as “an unforgettable experience.” Their goal was not only to increase digital literacy, but also to stimulate creativity and encourage civic participation. At the same time participants were given the chance to practice teamwork, active listening, and feedback integration. The experience reinforced how DigiEduHack provides a safe and dynamic space for learners to grow both technically and socially.

Cross-sector partnerships amplified reach

From Slovakia, the Global Innovation Marathon reflected on their role as a partner of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth with pride and enthusiasm. “We are really glad that we could contribute and support this meaningful event as a partner,” they shared, highlighting the importance of collaboration and shared leadership in making the initiative a success.

And even within similar sectors, approaches to solutions for the challenges related to digital education varied. Luxembourg Media and Digital Design Center (LMDDC), hosted by Luxembourg's Digital Learning Hub worked on themes of inclusive education, accessibility, and digital skills. "The quality of the pitches was really impressive", hosts noted, pointing to the depth participants achieved when given space to focus on equity.

Finally, the Open Food Facts hackathons in Aarhus and Québec City demonstrated the power of focused collaboration. As the hosts observed, “It’s always impressive to see what small teams can accomplish in just one day.” Their experience reaffirmed that, given the right framework and motivation, even short-format hackathons can generate impactful and innovative solutions.

What comes next

The 74 registered challenges from DigiEduHack 2025 represent more than individual solutions. They're proof that innovation in education doesn't belong to any single sector. It emerges from the spaces between where a university's research capacity meets an NGO's community connections, where a tech company's tools intersect with a school's daily realities, where local authorities' policy knowledge combines with startups' experimental spirit.

As the DigiEduHack community moves into 2026, voting for Global Award finalists will open in spring. But the real outcome isn't a single winning idea - it's the ecosystem itself. Every participating organisation returns to their sector with insights from others, carrying forward approaches they wouldn't have discovered alone.

DigiEduHack remains a dynamic space where educators, students, and innovators co-create the future of learning - not despite their differences, but because of them. One hackathon, one story, and one idea at a time.

Stay tuned for finalists pitching their solutions to become global finalists! Follow DigiEduHack on Instagram, X, Facebook or LinkedIn to stay updated.