Justice, Tech & Youth Innovation Challenge

Help shape the future of justice in the Gulf

How can artificial intelligence and digital technologies make justice more accessible, reliable and inclusive?

Join the Justice, Tech & Youth Innovation Challenge, an initiative by UNITAR and the Ministry of Justice of the State of Qatar, combining expert-led learning, mentorship and a team hackathon to address real-world justice challenges across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Applications close: 31 December 2026

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Four key priorities for Justice Tech

Responsible and impartial AI
Exploring fair, ethical and trustworthy use of AI in justice.
Accurate and up-to-date legal information
Improving access to reliable and current legal information.
Accessible digital justice
Developing solutions for more inclusive and user-friendly services.
Multilingual legal navigation across the GCC
Leveraging technology to bridge language barriers and enhance regional access to justice.

FROM LEARNING TO REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

An intensive, experience-based programme combining expert-led training, mentorship and a three-day Hackathon.

Four days of training
Build skills, explore real challenges and learn from experts.
Three-day mentored Hackathon
Develop solutions with multidisciplinary teams and guidance from mentors.
Pitch and showcase
Present solutions to a panel of judges and explore further development opportunities.

Key Dates

26 October 2026 — Official programme launch and applications open

26 October–31 December 2026 — Application period

January 2027 — Application review and participant selection

By 31 January 2027 — Selected contestants notified and participation confirmed

February–March 2027 — Participant onboarding and programme preparation

21–28 March 2027 — Training and mentored Hackathon in Doha, Qatar

Eligibility / who can apply

Relevant academic or professional background: Applicants should have a background in STEM, law or related discipline.

Age: 25–35 years.
Educational qualification: At least a bachelor’s degree in information systems, engineering, law, another relevant STEM discipline or a closely related field.
Professional experience: At least two years of relevant professional experience.
Motivation and interest: A clear motivation to apply technology to legal and justice-related challenges.
Supporting documentation: A CV, evidence of relevant professional experience, and academic or professional certificates supporting the information provided.
Representation: The programme seeks balanced representation of women and men, with participation from a diverse range of public- and private-sector entities.

Why Participate?

Practical exposure to Justice Tech and responsible innovation.
Multidisciplinary collaboration across legal, technology, AI and data perspectives.
Structured training, mentorship and applied Hackathon experience.
Connection with peers and experts from across the GCC.
Flights and accommodation covered for selected contestants, subject to final participation guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Justice, Tech & Youth Innovation Challenge?

A joint initiative of the Ministry of Justice of the State of Qatar and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), bringing together emerging professionals from the six GCC countries to develop practical, human-centred ideas for justice-related challenges using technology, data and responsible artificial intelligence.

Who can apply to compete?

The programme is intended for eligible Arabic-speaking professionals aged 25–35 from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Relevant backgrounds include law, technology, artificial intelligence, data, STEM, digital product design, and innovation. Please review the full eligibility criteria on the application page before applying.

Do I need legal and technical expertise?

The programme brings together complementary disciplines. Your contribution may come from legal knowledge, technical skills, data analysis, digital design, or another relevant field. You do not need expertise in every discipline.

What will contestants do?

Selected contestants will undertake four days of training followed by a three-day mentored Hackathon. They will collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, develop ideas with expert guidance, and present their proposed solutions to an expert panel.

What is a mentored Hackathon?

A Hackathon is an intensive collaborative activity in which contestants work together to address a defined challenge. Mentors provide guidance as teams explore the problem, develop a practical solution, and prepare their final presentation.

When and where will the programme take place?

The programme will take place in Doha, Qatar, during the week of 21–28 March 2027. Selected contestantswill receive the detailed schedule and venue information before the programme.

When can I apply?

Applications open on 26 October 2026 and close on 31 December 2026. Please check the application page for the exact closing time and submit your completed application before the deadline.

How do I apply?

Visit the official UNITAR application page to review the eligibility criteria and submit your application, including all required information and supporting documents. Please ensure that your application is complete and follows the submission instructions provided on the platform.

Apply here>>

How will contestants be selected?

Applications will be screened and assessed against the programme’s eligibility and selection criteria. The selection process aims to bring together complementary professional profiles with balanced representation across the six GCC countries and genders. Applying does not guarantee selection.

When will I hear about my application?

Application review and selection are scheduled for January 2027, with participation confirmations planned by the end of January. Please monitor the email address provided in your application for official communications.

What language skills are required?

Applicants must have Arabic-language capability. Details of the languages used for training, mentoring and presentations will be provided in the official programme guidance.

Will travel and accommodation be provided?

Yes. The project will cover participation-related flights and accommodation for selected contestants, in accordance with the programme’s travel arrangements. Selected contestants will receive information about booking procedures and the expenses covered.

What happens after selection?

Selected contestants will receive instructions on confirming their participation, onboarding, travel arrangements, and programme preparation during February–March 2027.

Where can I find updates or ask a question?

For application enquiries, contact: Diplomacy@unitar.org.