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Call for Applications: 2026 EaP Civic Tech Hackathon

Deadline: 02-Mar-2026

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility invites civic tech teams to develop innovative digital solutions addressing disinformation, societal polarisation, civil society resilience, and support for refugees and displaced communities. Selected teams will prototype solutions at the 2026 EaP Civic Tech Hackathon, with top projects eligible for up to EUR 12,000 in follow-up EU support.

About the Hackathon

The 2026 EaP Civic Tech Hackathon is a collaborative innovation platform designed to transform civic tech ideas into working prototypes. The initiative supports digital tools that strengthen democracy, counter misinformation, and enhance civil society resilience across the Eastern Partnership region.

Around 15 established teams will participate, bringing together civil society representatives and IT professionals from Eastern Partnership and EU countries. The event culminates in nominations for the EaP Civic Tech Award, providing financial and expert backing for selected solutions.

Focus Areas

Proposed civic tech solutions should address one or more of the following challenges:

  • Counteracting online disinformation and misinformation

  • Tackling societal polarisation

  • Strengthening civil society resilience

  • Supporting refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and asylum-seekers

Types of Solutions Encouraged

Projects may include tools and platforms that:

  • Help citizens identify or counter false information

  • Promote public participation in policy-making

  • Foster community dialogue and collaboration

  • Improve CSO transparency, cybersecurity, and operational resilience

  • Enhance service delivery to vulnerable populations

  • Support refugee and IDP integration and assistance

  • Encourage stakeholder participation in community development

Team Composition and Eligibility

Eligible teams must:

  • Include civil society representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, or Ukraine

  • Collaborate with IT professionals from EaP or EU countries

  • Have a clear idea for a civic tech solution

  • Possess minimum technical skills to prototype the solution

Team requirements:

  • One civil society representative as team leader

  • At least two technical experts, including one developer

  • Exceptions allowed if the idea author has strong technical capacity

Funding and Support

  • Prototype Development: Conducted during the Hackathon

  • EaP Civic Tech Award: EU financial and expert support for selected teams

  • Funding Amount: Average EUR 10,000 per winning team; up to EUR 12,000 in exceptional cases

  • Travel and Accommodation: Covered for up to three team members for the offline event in Chisinau

  • Additional team members may participate remotely

Why It Matters

The Hackathon strengthens civic innovation ecosystems in the Eastern Partnership region by:

  • Encouraging digital solutions to combat disinformation

  • Promoting democratic engagement and resilience

  • Supporting vulnerable communities, including refugees and displaced persons

  • Enhancing collaboration between civil society and technology experts

How to Apply

  1. Form a Team: Include required civil society and technical members.

  2. Develop Your Concept: Clearly define the problem and proposed civic tech solution.

  3. Demonstrate Technical Capacity: Show readiness to prototype during the Hackathon.

  4. Submit Application: Follow EaP Civil Society Facility guidelines and deadlines.

  5. Participate in Hackathon: Selected teams attend the offline event in Chisinau.

  6. Compete for Award: Present prototype for potential follow-up funding and support.

FAQs

  1. Who can apply? Civic tech teams composed of civil society representatives and IT professionals from EaP countries and the EU.

  2. How many teams will be selected? Approximately 15 established teams.

  3. Is funding guaranteed? No, only the most promising prototypes receive the EaP Civic Tech Award.

  4. What is the award amount? On average EUR 10,000, up to EUR 12,000 in exceptional cases.

  5. Are travel costs covered? Yes, for up to three team members attending in Chisinau.

  6. Can additional team members participate? Yes, remotely.

  7. What stage should the idea be at? Teams must have a well-defined concept and sufficient technical skills to prototype it.

Conclusion

The EaP Civic Tech Hackathon 2026 provides civic innovators with a platform to develop impactful digital tools addressing disinformation, polarisation, and civil society resilience. With funding opportunities and EU-backed expert support, the initiative empowers teams to transform ideas into scalable civic tech solutions across the Eastern Partnership region.

For more information, visit Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility.