From 24 to 29 October 2025, the Hack4Health: Youth Health Hackathons training course was held in Podgorica, Montenegro, bringing together young professionals, students and youth workers from CEI countries. The event aimed to strengthen health literacy and youth capacity to address public health challenges through innovative, community-based solutions, with a particular focus on the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Organised by the International Youth Health Organization (YHO), the programme combined training sessions, teamwork and mentoring, guiding participants through the hackathon methodology from problem identification to solution design. The five-day course enhanced skills in project development, facilitation and collaborative problem-solving, while encouraging peer learning and cross-border exchange.
The training prepared participants to replicate hackathon-based approaches and health literacy initiatives in their local contexts, contributing to the creation of a regional network of young health advocates.
“Health and well-being are integral to sustainable development. Natural disasters, conflicts and pandemics, such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 outbreak, continue to threaten public health, economies and social stability, underscoring the need for international cooperation.
In this context, the CEI engages in health-related initiatives through cooperation with WHO, SEEHN and other partners, supporting stronger healthcare systems, improved access to medicines, public health education and health diplomacy by linking science with policymaking.”
By promoting youth-driven innovation and cooperation in the health sector, Hack4Health supported more resilient and inclusive public health responses across the CEI region.
For more info: radovanovic@cei.int
