# Youth Hacking 4 Freedom 2025 Empowering Young Developers > [! note]- > The content of this page is generated by audio/video transcription and text transformation from the content and links of this source. Source: [https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025/](https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025/) <video src="https://video.fosdem.org/2025/ud6215/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025.av1.webm" controls></video> ## Summary & Highlights: **Introduction to Youth Hacking 4 Freedom** Youth Hacking 4 Freedom is a programming competition organized by the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) aimed at European teenagers aged 14 to 18. This initiative empowers young developers to create their own software projects under a free software license, with guidance from experts. The competition emphasizes creativity, learning, and community building, providing a platform for teenagers to collaborate and innovate. **Competition Structure and Support** The competition consists of several phases: registration, programming, and evaluation. Participants are supported through monthly video calls, where they receive input on topics like free software licensing and project management. These sessions also facilitate networking and friendship-building among participants from different European countries. The competition culminates in an award ceremony in Brussels, where winners are recognized for their innovative projects. **Project Examples and Impact** Participants have developed a wide range of projects, from game engines to assistive technologies for people with disabilities. These projects not only showcase the creativity and technical skills of the young developers but also highlight the potential for free software to address social and environmental challenges. The competition encourages participants to think beyond individual projects, fostering a spirit of collaboration and community engagement. **Evaluation and Awards** Projects are evaluated by a jury of experts, who shortlist entries for interviews and final selection. Winners receive cash prizes, which serve as motivation and recognition for their efforts. The competition also offers special awards for younger participants, acknowledging the diverse skill levels and backgrounds of the contestants. **Challenges and Opportunities** While the competition supports participants in various aspects, it also presents challenges, such as language barriers and the need for self-directed learning. However, these challenges are opportunities for growth, as participants learn to navigate the complexities of project development and collaboration. The competition's emphasis on free software principles encourages participants to engage with broader community and ethical considerations, promoting sustainable and inclusive technology development. ## Importance for an eco-social transformation Youth Hacking 4 Freedom is significant for eco-social transformation as it fosters a new generation of developers who prioritize free software principles. This approach promotes sustainability by encouraging open collaboration and knowledge sharing. The competition's focus on creativity and community building aligns with eco-social values, empowering young people to address social and environmental issues through technology. Eco-social designers can learn from this model by adopting open-source tools and collaborative methods to engage communities in sustainable development projects. Challenges include overcoming language barriers and ensuring diverse participation, but the competition's structure offers a replicable framework for fostering inclusive and innovative tech development. ## Links [Video recording (AV1/WebM) - 126.6 MB](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/ud6215/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025.av1.webm) [Video recording (MP4) - 583.2 MB](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/ud6215/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025.av1.mp4) [Video recording subtitle file (VTT)](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/ud6215/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025.vtt) [Chat room(web)](https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025/chat/web) [Chat room(app)](https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4164-youth-hacking-4-freedom-2025/chat/app)