Liberal Hack 2026
Call for applications - Liberal Hack 2026
Register before Tuesday, 10 March 2026 at 14h00 CET (Brussels time)!
The Liberal Hack 2026 aims to challenge young liberals like you to explore the future of Security and Defence in Europe.
European security is facing challenges driven by geopolitical volatility, hybrid warfare, rapid technological disruption, and shifting defence requirements. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, recurring drone incursions across Europe, and repeated signals from the Donald Trump administration questioning NATO commitments. These developments call for a comprehensive reassessment of Europe’s security and defence architecture as shaped in the post-Cold-War framework.
Strengthening European security and defence is essential to ensure a strong, secure, and competitive Europe. During the liberal hack, we will divide the participants into 5 groups, all focusing on a specific challenge deriving from European security and defence:
Our target audience is young European liberals (aged 18-35), primarily members of LYMEC Member Organisations and Individual Members, but also ELF members, NGOs, think tanks and the general public.
At the Liberal Hack, you will deepen your understanding of the various aspects of Security and Defence across our continent by exploring the challenges and opportunities from multiple perspectives through an engaging Hackathon format. During the event, you will collaborate with other young liberals to develop creative and liberal solutions.
To express your team preference, you will have the opportunity to rank the topics in the registration form, ensuring you can focus on the area that interests you the most.
The five main areas are:
Conscription and Civic Duty - different types of conscription, including youth, civic duty
With new security challenges, many countries are rethinking conscription or introducing new forms of civic service. This team will explore different models: military service, civil protection service, community volunteering, or youth programmes. Which models best fit Europe today? Should the EU encourage a common approach, and how can services be made useful, fair, and attractive for young people?
Defence Industry - innovation, strategic autonomy, European pillar
Europe’s security depends on a strong and modern defence industry. This team will look at how to create a strong European pillar within the defence industry, how the EU can promote innovation, and how Europe can become more autonomous. How can European countries work together on joint projects, shared standards, and new funding tools? What steps are needed to build a more united and competitive European defence sector?
Resilience: a whole-of-society approach - Ukraine, Preparedness Union Strategy, Niiniisto report
Security is not just a responsibility of the military; all of society needs to be involved to become more resilient. How can all of society be included? How to build resilience in a liberal way.
Defending Liberal Democracy against Hybrid Threats - disinformation, protection of rights
Hybrid threats such as disinformation, cyberattacks, election interference, and economic pressure pose growing challenges to Europe’s democratic foundations. This team will investigate strategies to protect open societies while upholding fundamental freedoms. How can the EU counter foreign influence operations and online manipulation without undermining free expression? What mechanisms can reinforce electoral integrity, media literacy, and democratic resilience? How should governments collaborate with tech platforms, civil society, and international partners to detect, deter, and respond to hybrid threats?
Space security
Space is becoming increasingly contested, commercialised, and militarised. Europe relies on space systems for navigation, communication, climate monitoring, defence, and economic activity—but these assets are vulnerable to interference and attack. This team will examine how the EU can safeguard its space infrastructure and assert itself as a global space security actor. (not too much regulation)
Expected outcomes:
- Gain a detailed understanding of the goals and challenges of European Security and Defence, while discussing areas for improvement and new strategies.
- Your ideas will be featured in a booklet distributed to relevant policy-makers to help shape both LYMEC’s and broader European policy
- Challenge yourself: win a special prize and a trip to Brussels to present, develop, and discuss the main conclusions of the Hackathon with Members of the European Parliament!
LibertyCon 2026
Participants of the Liberal Hack 2026 will have the opportunity to join the European Liberal Forum and LYMEC at LibertyCon Europe 2026 in Madrid on Sunday, April 26th. A special workshop will be organised on security and defence. This session will be the occasion to present the outcome of the Liberal Hack 2026, gather insights and engage with stakeholders and students from across Europe.
Applications:
- Please complete the form above before Tuesday, 10 March 2026, at 14h00 CET (Brussels time).
- The applicant must be between 18 and 35 years of age.
Participation fee: There will be no participation costs; meals and accommodation will be fully covered.
Travel reimbursement: There will be travel refunds by ELF after the event to at least partially reimburse your travel expenses to and from Madrid. Participants must buy their own tickets and request reimbursement after the event. Please keep all original receipts, tickets, invoices and boarding passes. If those are missing, the travel refund cannot be processed.
Participants need to be at least 18 years old at the start of the event. By registering for this event, you agree to our updated privacy policy and understand that your personal data will be shared with the European Liberal Forum, the implementing partner, and hotels for administrative purposes. You also agree that your name will appear during the online event to other participants and to a broader public during live-streamed sessions.
We are happy to look into alternative ways of participating in our events for economically difficult, disabled or less literate participants in order to maximise the opportunities for all.
Please contact us at office@lymec.eu if you would like to look into the possibilities available.
The event is organised by the European Liberal Forum in cooperation with the European Liberal Youth LYMEC. The event received financial support from the European Parliament. The sole liability remains with the organiser. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
