The winning teams from the SEED4AFRICA National Hackathons in Kenya, Benin, and South Africa took their innovation journey beyond the continent as they participated in the Social Hackathon Umbria (SHU) 2025, held from 3 to 6 July in Spello, Italy. This unique opportunity brought together young innovators and their mentors for a four-day celebration of creativity, technology, and cultural exchange.
Representing the Makuyu Aquaponics team from Kenya, PLASTWOOD from Benin, and CONCORDIA CARE from South Africa, the students and teachers joined hundreds of participants from around the world in an immersive programme of hackathons, workshops, exhibitions, and hands-on laboratories. Hosted in the heart of Umbria, the event offered a vibrant environment where ideas flowed freely across cultures, disciplines, and experiences.
This year’s Social Hackathon focused on the overarching theme of diversity – biological, neurological, and social. Through thematic challenges, interactive sessions, and collaborative projects, the SEED4AFRICA representatives explored how diversity can drive innovation and shape more inclusive digital and environmental solutions. Engaging with peers, professionals, and experts, they exchanged perspectives on sustainable development, community empowerment, and the transformative potential of digital tools.
Beyond the hackathon activities, the students and mentors had the chance to discover Umbria’s rich agricultural sector through organised visits. One of the highlights was an exclusive tour of Umbraflor, the region’s largest nursery production company and a national leader in advanced plant cultivation. Warmly welcomed by the company’s president and director, the group explored the extensive nursery facilities and observed cutting-edge propagation techniques and sustainable production methods. The visit offered valuable insights into high-level horticultural practices and sparked discussion on how similar innovations could be adapted to African contexts.
Participation in the Social Hackathon Umbria not only rewarded the SEED4AFRICA winners for their achievements but also broadened their horizons, strengthening their skills and expanding their international networks.
The experience marked an inspiring step in their journeys as young changemakers committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive future.
