AFS Global Ideathon

Yes, there will be a certificate of participation, highlighting the global competences you gained through your contribution and commitment in this global event (such as team dynamics, communication, digital skills, language, usage of digital tools).

If you have questions that are not answered in these FAQs, please feel free to write to us at [email protected], with your name, country, email address, and your question. 

We will do our best to answer as soon as possible, but please bear in mind that sometimes it can take a moment or two to get back.

There is no required fee. Participating is completely free – the Ideathon is run by AFS volunteers for all people who agree that we need truly global solutions to create a more just and peaceful world. All costs are covered through the volunteer-driven organization and by AFS International.

Everyone is welcome! If you are new to the AFS world and want to participate we encourage you to check out these links to have an overview of the AFS network and our mission before the Ideathon.

There is no limit to the total number of participants. Participants sign up individually to the event. They will choose the challenge to tackle during the event. Each challenge will be supported by a trainer/coach/mentor. 

We suggest not to have teams bigger than 15 members. During the event you will be grouped with other participants interested in the challenge. Within these groups you may create subgroups as you see fit.

Just your motivation to be up for a global intercultural experience 🙂 Also have enough coffee, mate, chocolate, or anything to support you during the event ready!

Not at all. This is not a programming event. You do not need to have any programming skills or knowledge to participate.

No! Come join us with your motivation and be part of this global intercultural experience.

Yes, you may bring your own team or chapter (that’s what local AFS groups are called). Each member needs to sign up individually. As a team, you can agree on the challenge you would like to enter. You can enter the challenge together with people from all over the world if you like to. 

The sign-up process is event-based, which means all of your group members sign up individually to the event and decide which challenge you want to join on the day of the event.

Yes, there will be several mentors who will be available to help you during the event.

The main language for the event is English but you are free to work with your teams in whichever language you prefer as long as the final solution is translated to English for review. Just have fun with different languages – it’s AFS! (and there will be videos for feet and hand communication 😉

We will be working through different time zones and with several teams, each team is free to work as they see fit. Sometimes, less is more. The final result must be turned in at the end of the Ideathon.

You will need an internet connection, a microphone and a camera – we recommend the use of a laptop rather than a smartphone.

The Ideathon is there to empower you in creating, discussing and sharing ideas. It is up to you what you make out of this opportunity. 

After the submissions have been made, we will open a poll for everyone to vote on the best ideas and the most promising ideas will be selected. Those selected projects will be presented at the AFS International Meeting. We also encourage you to take your ideas with you to your national AFS organizations or to the local level.

We don’t know yet but we are working on a framework to support projects afterwards to develop further and create an impact for the global community.