Kharkiv IT Cluster at the EU Code Week Hackathon — supporting young talent
IT ClusterEU Code Week Hackathons are an international initiative by the European Commission, encompassing 40 countries and engaging millions of participants worldwide. The initiative aims to promote programming among youth, enhance digital skills, and foster technological creativity.In Ukraine, EU Code Week events are organized by the national hub of the project — Junior Achievement Ukraine.
In 2025, within the framework of EU Code Week, the hackathon «Hello, Future» took place, and Kharkiv IT Cluster was delighted to join. Supporting educational initiatives and nurturing young talent is an integral part of our mission.
What role did Kharkiv IT Cluster play?
Representatives of Kharkiv IT Cluster joined the panel of judges, evaluating the innovation and practicality of participants’ projects. The experts assessed:
- the effective use of digital technologies by the teams;
- the potential impact of the solutions on social or industry-specific challenges;
- the scalability and future development potential of the projects.
🏆 Our jury representatives included:
Ulyana Shumey — Senior Manager of the Educational Team at Kharkiv IT Cluster, coordinator of educational initiatives.
Kateryna Vodolazska — Financial Manager at Wade Freight, expert in finance and business analysis.
Natalia Yermakova — IT specialist and lecturer at the Department of ITMM at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University with experience in developing IT products.
Natalia Styahlyk — Expert in IT and digital transformation, also a lecturer at the Department of ITMM at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.
About the Hackathon
From March 10 to 23, talented and proactive youth from across the country collaborated with mentors to tackle both global and local challenges using digital technologies:
🔹 3 hackathons;
🔹 Over 45 teams;
🔹 150+ participants.
They had the opportunity to develop their own solutions to current technological challenges. Working in teams, they explored innovative approaches and received guidance from experienced mentors.
📝 What topics did participants work on?
1. The Future of Work. How can digital technologies or artificial intelligence be used to promote diversity and inclusive initiatives, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees?
2. Healthcare. How can we develop digital systems that provide accurate and safe medical advice or support?
3. Agriculture. How can we leverage digital technologies to transform agricultural practices?
4. Education. How can we use technology to create personalized, engaging, and inclusive educational platforms that meet diverse student needs and empower teachers?
🔥 What did participants and the community gain?
For young people, participation offered the opportunity to:
✅ gain hands-on experience solving real-world cases;
✅ develop critical thinking and digital skills;
✅ network with industry professionals and expand their connections.
☝️ For Kharkiv IT Cluster, it was another step toward creating an environment where talented youth can thrive and integrate into the IT industry, and where businesses can find motivated and skilled professionals.
Supporting such initiatives is an investment in the future of both the region and the country.
