Deadline: 05-Jun-2026
The Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy initiative is inviting multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative digital tools that combat online hate speech, disinformation, and harmful online behavior while strengthening democratic systems and public trust. Selected teams will receive fully funded participation in Strasbourg, mentoring support, and compete for a €50,000 Microsoft grant shared among winning teams.
The initiative supports human rights–based technology solutions aligned with the New Democratic Pact for Europe and aims to strengthen democratic participation through responsible digital innovation.
Overview of the Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy Initiative
Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy is an international hackathon designed to bring together technology, policy, and design expertise to create practical solutions for addressing online hostility and strengthening democratic values.
The programme seeks to support ideas that improve online spaces while promoting participation, trust, transparency, and democratic engagement.
The initiative supports:
- Human rights-centered technology
- Democratic resilience
- Digital safety
- Counter-disinformation tools
- Responsible innovation
- Civic participation
- Online trust-building
The hackathon is organized alongside No Hate Speech Week and supports objectives connected to the New Democratic Pact for Europe.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Counter online hate speech
- Reduce harmful digital behavior
- Strengthen democratic participation
- Support privacy-focused digital innovation
- Improve reporting and response systems
- Generate policy-relevant insights
- Encourage multidisciplinary collaboration
Key Focus Areas
1. Privacy-Preserving Hate Speech Detection
Projects may develop systems that identify harmful content while protecting user privacy.
Examples:
- AI-assisted moderation tools
- Privacy-focused monitoring systems
- Ethical detection approaches
2. Detection of Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour
Solutions can focus on identifying organized manipulation and misleading activity.
Examples:
- Disinformation tracking tools
- Network analysis systems
- Pattern identification technologies
3. Prevention of Malicious Doxing
Projects may address harmful exposure of personal information online.
Examples:
- Personal data protection systems
- Alert mechanisms
- Prevention tools
4. Policy and Democratic Insights
Teams can create tools that support decision-making and democratic processes.
Examples:
- Civic engagement dashboards
- Data analysis systems
- Public participation tools
5. Institutional Reporting and Response Mechanisms
Solutions may strengthen structured responses to harmful online behavior.
Examples:
- Reporting platforms
- Incident management systems
- Digital governance tools
Funding and Benefits
Travel and Accommodation Support
Selected participants receive:
- Full travel coverage
- Accommodation support
- Participation support for the Strasbourg event
Grant Funding
Winning teams share:
- €50,000 Microsoft grant
Additional Benefits
Participants also receive:
- Post-event mentoring
- Implementation support
- Networking opportunities
- Access to experts and professionals
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet team composition and geographic requirements.
Team Requirements
Applications must be submitted by pre-formed teams of 3–4 members.
Each team must include:
- At least one technologist
- At least one democracy or policy expert
- At least one designer or front-end developer
Location Requirements
Applicants must be residents of any of the 46 Council of Europe member states.
Participation Requirements
Participants must:
- Attend the in-person event in Strasbourg
- Bring personal laptops
- Participate in required preparatory sessions
How the Programme Works
The programme follows several stages.
Step 1: Form a Multidisciplinary Team
Build a team with required expertise areas.
Step 2: Develop a Concept Proposal
Prepare a concept summary of up to two pages.
The proposal should explain:
- Problem being addressed
- Proposed solution
- Technical approach
- Human rights considerations
- Expected impact
Step 3: Submit the Application
Submit the application before the programme deadline.
Step 4: Selection and Preparation
Selected teams will participate in:
- Online preparatory sessions
- Mentoring activities
Step 5: Attend the Hackathon
Teams participate in the three-day in-person event in Strasbourg where solutions are further developed and presented.
Selection Criteria
Teams are evaluated based on:
- Innovation
- Feasibility
- Problem–solution alignment
- Human rights integration
- Potential impact
- Contribution to democratic objectives
Why This Initiative Matters
Online hate speech and coordinated misinformation can affect trust, public participation, and democratic systems.
The initiative supports:
- Safer online environments
- Human rights protection
- Democratic resilience
- Ethical technology development
- Responsible digital innovation
- Civic participation
It also creates opportunities for experts from different fields to collaborate on practical solutions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Weak Problem Definition
Clearly explain the issue your solution addresses.
2. Ignoring Human Rights Considerations
Projects should balance innovation with rights protection.
3. Overly Complex Solutions
Focus on practical and realistic implementation.
4. Poor Team Diversity
Ensure required expertise areas are represented.
5. Limited Impact Explanation
Demonstrate how the project creates measurable value.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Define a specific challenge clearly
- Build a balanced multidisciplinary team
- Explain social impact and democratic relevance
- Demonstrate technical feasibility
- Integrate ethical considerations
- Present realistic implementation plans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy?
It is an international hackathon supporting digital solutions that address online hate and strengthen democratic systems.
2. Who can apply?
Pre-formed teams of 3–4 members residing in Council of Europe member states may apply.
3. Is participation free?
Yes. Participation is free of charge.
4. What funding is available?
Winning teams share a €50,000 Microsoft grant.
5. Are travel costs covered?
Yes. Selected teams receive travel and accommodation support.
6. Is individual participation allowed?
No. Applications must be submitted by pre-formed teams.
7. What expertise should teams include?
Teams must include a technologist, democracy or policy expert, and a designer or front-end developer.
Conclusion
The Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy initiative provides an opportunity for innovators, researchers, designers, and policy experts to collaborate on solutions addressing online hate and strengthening democratic participation. Through funding, mentorship, and international collaboration, the programme supports practical ideas capable of creating lasting social impact.
For more information, visit Democracy Hackathon.