AI Hackathon · Theme: AI for Community Impact

Build for
your community.

The £3,000 AI Challenge: build an AI-powered solution that addresses a real problem facing your community. An intense, individual competition that turns community challenges into practical, working AI.

Applications open Thu, 12 Nov 2026, 09:00

Applications open in

Deadline: Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 23:59

UK time. Submissions close automatically at the deadline.

How it works

Six stages to the stage.

  1. 01

    Applications Open

    Thu, 12 Nov 2026, 09:00

  2. 02

    Submission Deadline

    Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 23:59

  3. 03

    Review

    Fri, 4 Dec 2026, 17:00

  4. 04

    Final Shortlist

    Sat, 5 Dec 2026, 12:00

  5. 05

    Live Hackathon

    Sat, 12 Dec 2026, 10:00

  6. 06

    Winners

    Sat, 12 Dec 2026, 15:30

£

£3,000 cash prize pool

Three winners. Real money.

1st

£1,500

2nd

£1,000

3rd

£500

The challenge

Pick a problem you know. Fix it with AI.

Choose a real challenge in your community and show how AI can make it better. You know your neighbourhood, school, workplace or high street better than anyone: that's your advantage.

Areas you could explore

  • Education
  • Employment
  • Local businesses
  • Public services
  • Accessibility
  • Social inclusion
  • Sustainability
  • Anything else affecting your community

Competition format

  • Individual participation: no teams
  • Apply before the deadline with your idea and proof of concept
  • Shortlisted finalists compete live on 12 December
  • Time-bound build: improve and demonstrate your solution
  • AI tools and practical resources on the day
  • Live demonstrations and judging

Your application

What we'll ask you.

  1. Your details and relevant background
  2. The community challenge you're tackling
  3. Who experiences this problem
  4. Your proposed AI-powered solution
  5. How AI will be used
  6. The impact you expect
  7. Where you are in development
  8. Proof of concept or supporting evidence

Save your progress and edit your answers as often as you like until the deadline.

Proof of concept

Show us it's credible.

You don't need a finished product to apply. You do need to show a credible concept and how AI contributes to it. Any of these work:

  • Working prototype or demo URL
  • GitHub or project repository link
  • Figma or design prototype
  • Short demonstration video
  • Screenshots or supporting documents
  • Brief explanation of how it works

Assessment

How we choose.

  1. Community problem and relevance
  2. Innovation and creativity
  3. Practical use of AI
  4. Feasibility and proof of concept
  5. Potential impact on the community

Read the competition rules

Final shortlist

Shortlist coming soon.

We'll announce the final shortlist here on Sat, 5 Dec 2026, 12:00. Every applicant will also hear from us by email.

Got an idea for your community?

Applications take about 20 minutes, and you can save and come back.

Applications open Thu, 12 Nov 2026, 09:00