By Emina Balota, Young European Ambassador, Montenegro

This July, from 3 to 6 July, I had the privilege of participating in Social Hackathon Umbria 2025 (SHU2025) in Spello, Italy, as a Young European Ambassador (YEA).

It became one of the most enriching and intense experiences of my year. Our accommodation in Spello was beautiful, and the locals were incredibly kind and welcoming, which made the entire experience even more special.

SHU2025 gathered over 400 participants from 24 countries across different continents, transforming the medieval village of Spello into a living lab of social innovation, youth energy, and community spirit.

Spello: A Village Transformed by Ideas

Walking through Spello’s flower-filled alleys, cobbled streets, and historic gates each day, I felt inspired by how a small community can become a hub for youth-led innovation. Thanks to SHU’s community-based approach, our meal vouchers allowed us to explore Spello’s local trattorias, directly supporting local businesses while immersing ourselves in Umbrian culture through intense hackathon activities.

A Rich, Dynamic Agenda
SHU2025 was not just a hackathon; it was a four-day ecosystem of learning, creating, and connecting, with a packed and diverse agenda:
D-Village Learning Labs:
Coding for girls, VR escape rooms, 3D printing, drone piloting, digital journalism, and robotics workshops, providing hands-on digital skill development for young participants.
Young people of all ages explored how to use technology creatively and responsibly.

SHU Young Makers Programme:
Participants aged 16–30 designed, prototyped, and pitched solutions for social challenges, guided by mentors and facilitators, including myself.
It was inspiring to see projects addressing environmental sustainability, accessibility, digital inclusion, and heritage protection come to life.

Cultural Integration Activities:
Unmasking Parade in Spello’s main square, celebrating cultural diversity with colours, music, and local residents joining in.
A multicultural welcome aperitivo at the Biblioteca Comunale square.
Open-air cinema under the stars with a documentary on youth social impact stories.
Yoga and morning hikes in the olive groves to start the days with calm energy.

Evening Networking and Celebrations:
A lively SHU2025 party at Villa Fidelia gardens with music and intercultural dance.
Informal networking dinners with local and international changemakers.
The SHU Awards Night at Ca’Rapillo, where teams pitched their solutions and celebrated their accomplishments.

Workshops and Talks:
Pitching masterclasses, social impact funding sessions, and design thinking workshops for youth innovators.
Panel discussions on digital literacy, youth mobility, and community building in rural areas.

Community Engagement:
SHU2025 engaged Spello’s local community, with residents participating in open labs and parents bringing children to explore technology in a safe and inclusive environment.

The Power of Diversity and Collaboration

SHU2025 was a living example of diversity in action. Participants came from Kenya, Benin, Brazil, France, Italy, and the Western Balkans, bringing their perspectives and cultural experiences to every conversation.

Despite language and background differences, we were united by a shared goal: using technology and creativity to build solutions for a more inclusive, sustainable society. Working late into the evenings with young participants, mentoring their pitch decks, and helping refine their ideas reminded me how empowered youth are unstoppable changemakers when given space and guidance.

A Space for Learning and Inspiration
Through the D-Village and hackathon, young people learned:
– How to design user-friendly digital tools for community challenges.
– How to pitch confidently in front of diverse audiences.
– How to collaborate across cultures and backgrounds.
– The importance of community-driven innovation.
It was moving to see young participants confidently demo their VR solutions or eco-friendly apps they had designed in just 48 hours, sharing their passion for impact.

 Gratitude
A huge thank you to the entire SHU2025 team for creating such a welcoming, dynamic, and joyful environment. Your commitment to empowering youth, supporting learning, and making innovation accessible is deeply inspiring.

As a Young European Ambassador, SHU2025 reinforced my commitment to youth mobility, digital skill-building, and fostering cross-cultural cooperation to create a more connected, resilient Europe and neighbourhood region.

Final Reflections
SHU2025 was much more than a hackathon. It was a celebration of community, creativity, and collective action, proving that even in a small village, big ideas can thrive when people come together.
For all young changemakers:
– Seek spaces like SHU.
– Dare to bring your ideas to life.
– Trust in collaboration, creativity, and your power to shape your communities.
If you ever get the chance to participate in SHU, take it! It is an experience that will leave you energised, connected, and ready to continue creating positive change.