3rd Green Youth Hackathon: Startup Challenge for Sustainable Innovation

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The French Embassy to Bahrain, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and AIESEC Bahrain, has officially launched the third edition of the Green Youth Hackathon. The event, running from April 24 to 28, 2025, will take place at the Bahrain Science Center for SDGs and HQHope at Seef Mall, gathering young innovators focused on creating sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.

This year’s hackathon encourages participants to develop start-up ideas that address critical sustainability challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a special focus on SDG 14: Life Below Water, this edition will highlight marine and coastal issues in the lead-up to the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled for June 2025 in Nice, France.

Collaborative Support

Held with the support of leading French companies such as Fives Services Gulf and BNP Paribas, as well as Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment, this event aims to equip young innovators with the skills and mentorship they need to develop real-world solutions.

The hackathon invites university students and recent graduates aged 18 to 30 to join forces in creating practical, scalable business solutions for Bahrain’s marine and coastal challenges. Over the course of three days, seven selected teams will work alongside sustainability and entrepreneurship experts from both Bahrain and France to shape innovative ideas that can positively impact the environment.

Workshops and Mentorship

In addition to collaborative project development, participants will attend specialized workshops led by key partners, including the Supreme Council for Environment, Neia Solutions, the Bahrain-based NGO NUWAT, and Traction4Business. These workshops will cover essential topics such as sustainable entrepreneurship, marine biodiversity, the blue economy, and coastal development.

Throughout the hackathon, expert mentorship will be provided by environmental professionals and business leaders from BNP Paribas and AIESEC Bahrain, ensuring that each team receives guidance to refine their ideas into viable business models that can drive meaningful environmental change.

Opportunities

The winning team will be invited to participate in a unique two-week hackathon in France, held alongside the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice. This international opportunity will help enhance youth employability and encourage cross-border skill transfer, providing participants with the chance to expand their professional networks while gaining hands-on experience.

By offering both local and international opportunities, the Green Youth Hackathon is empowering Bahrain’s youth to take action on marine sustainability while also contributing to the global conversation on ocean conservation.