Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

An innovative student-developed solution aimed at promoting positive behaviour and creating violence-free school environments won first place at the final of the hackathon “SafeHack: Code for a Space Without Violence”, held on 18 December in Podgorica. The winning idea was developed by the team Unlockers, while Kaskaderusi and Minions placed second and third respectively. Although the expert jury selected the top teams, it was jointly agreed that all participants were winners for their commitment to social change.

The hackathon was organised by the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica in co-operation with the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro. Its goal was to engage students and encourage them, through teamwork and creativity, to develop innovative digital and other solutions that promote positive behavior and create violence-free schools. Young people were motivated to develop ideas aimed at building a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and free to express their opinions without fear of violence or harassment.

Seven teams of high school students from Bar, Nikšić, Podgorica, and Tivat participated in the final. They worked hard on developing their solutions with the mentoring support from  their teachers and other representatives of the school, as well as the expert team of the Science and Technology Park.

Opening the final event, executive director of the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, Valentina Radulović, stressed that all participants in the hackathon are winners because they chose to be generators of positive change in the society. She called on young people to continue developing innovative solutions that can help address various challenges.

Director General of the Directorate for High School and Vocational Education in the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, Marija Gošović, pointed out in her address that "SafeHack" is a great example of how technology can be used in a useful, responsible, and socially valuable way. "Although we are aware that technology and the online space can be places where violence occurs, initiatives like this show that technology can be part of the solution, not just the problem,” said Ms Gošović. She also reminded us of the numerous activities the Ministry implements to ensure every child feels accepted, safe, and supported.

The hackathon is part of the projects implemented by the Council of Europe, namely "Prevent bullying and violence in schools in Montenegro", financed by Germany, and "Quality education for all - Montenegro", which is implemented within the framework of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe, "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye".

Dr. Ralf Reusch, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Montenegro, attended the event. He expressed satisfaction that the Government of Germany supported the project, which sends a clear signal that we will not simply accept the increase in violence in our societies, and which provides practical support to Montenegro in developing its own ideas on how local challenges can be addressed. He emphasised the special importance of involving students in project activities, as demonstrated by the hackathon.

The Council of Europe has been working for decades to strengthen human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, and recognises the right to a safe educational environment free from violence as a fundamental right of every child. The Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, Lejla Dervišagić, recalled this. "Inclusive schools, in which every child feels accepted, respected, and free to express their opinion, are the basis for building a healthy and resilient society. This is exactly why initiatives like this one are extremely important," she stressed. In the end, she told young people to continue believing in the power of their ideas, because they have the knowledge, responsibility, and courage to change society for the better.