TECHTIDES YOUTH 2026
TechTides Youth is back, bringing young people from across Derry, Strabane and Limavady together to explore the world of technology, careers and entrepreneurship.
Designed and hosted by young people, the day will bring together inspiring speakers, new technology, fresh ideas and the next generation of innovators.
Monday 23 November
10am to 2pm
Foyle Theatre, Foyle Building, NWRC
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
There are two ways to be part of TechTides Youth 2026.
COME ALONG
Want to experience TechTides Youth, hear from the speakers and explore what’s happening in tech?
HAVE AN IDEA?
Enter the Tech for Good Competition and show us how you would use technology to tackle a problem that matters.
PICK A PROBLEM. FIX IT WITH TECHNOLOGY.
Tech for Good is your chance to take a problem that matters to you and develop an idea for how technology could help solve it.
Choose your theme. Here are five examples to get you started. You can choose one of these or create your own idea based on a problem that matters to you.
1. SAFER COMMUNITIES
Build something that helps keep people safe and access help, because everyone deserves to feel safe where they live.
EXAMPLE IDEAS:
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AI-powered safe-route planner
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Anonymous local incident reporting tool
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Assistant for finding nearby support services
2. SMARTER CITIES
Help households, schools or councils make better decisions about waste, recycling and the environment around them.
EXAMPLE IDEAS:
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AI recycling helper
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Tool for reporting litter problems
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School energy-use assistant
3. MIND MATTERS
Support young people through early intervention, peer connection, or simply helping someone’s mental health.
EXAMPLE IDEAS:
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Private wellbeing check-in
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Tool for finding support
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Positive peer connection platform
4. LEARN DIFFERENT
Reimagine how education could look when it works better for you.
EXAMPLE IDEAS:
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AI revision coach
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Small-step study planner
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Accessibility tool for learning needs
5. YOUNG & BUILDING
Think young people need more support to start things? Build a tool or platform that helps the next generation get going sooner.
EXAMPLE IDEAS:
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Idea-to-action assistant
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Mentor matching
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Opportunities and grants platform
TECH FOR GOOD COMPETITION
HOW TO APPLY
90 SECONDS. THAT’S IT.
Record a 90 second video explaining your idea. No slides needed. Your phone camera is fine. Keep it natural and cover four things:
1. THE PROBLEM
What needs fixing? Who does it affect? Why does it matter?
2. YOUR SOLUTION
What’s your idea and how does AI play a role in making it work?
3. WHY NOW
Why is this the right moment for your idea?
4. WHY YOU
Why are you, or your team, the right people to build it?
