"YH4F provides teenagers with a platform to express their ideas and develop skills that are crucial for their future careers"
In just a few days, the 2025 Youth Hacking 4 Freedom programming period will come to an end, marking the start of the evaluation phase. Among the jury members is Alexios Zavras, who has been involved since the very first edition of the contest. Let us hear his insights on the YH4F competition and what motivates him to be part of the jury.
After six months of programming, Youth Hacking 4 Freedom (YH4F) participants are submitting their projects at the end of June, which will be evaluated by our experts. Our jury is composed by 16 professionals with a different focus on Free Software. With their help, we cover a wide range of technical aspects and ensure that an expert is always available to evaluate a participant's project. One of our experts is Alexios Zavras, who has been involved with Free Software since 1983 and is an advocate for software freedom.
Based on the jury’s scores, the six winning projects receive a cash prize ranging from €1,024 to €4,096. The winners are invited (with all expenses covered) to the award ceremony held over a weekend in October in Brussels.
FSFE: Thank you very much Alexios for taking the time and talking with us. What inspired you to become a jury member for this competition?
Alexios: I was inspired to become a jury member for YH4F because I believe in empowering young people to explore their creativity and technical skills. The opportunity to support and encourage the next generation of programmers, while promoting the values of Free Software, aligns with my passion for technology and education.
FSFE: What do you enjoy most about being involved in this kind of event?
Alexios: I enjoy witnessing the innovative ideas and solutions that young participants bring to the table. It is incredibly rewarding to see their enthusiasm and dedication, and to be part of a community that fosters growth and learning. The projects submitted address actual problems that often surprise me.
FSFE: If you had to choose only one, what would be your favorite thing about this competition?
Alexios: My favorite thing about the competition is the sense of community and collaboration it fosters among participants. It is inspiring to see young programmers working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other in their projects. I am not only talking about teams working together and submitting a project, but also the interaction when these young creators meet each other for the first time in the award ceremony.
FSFE: What skills do you think are most important for participants to take part in this competition?
Alexios: Key skills include problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Technical proficiency is important, but the ability to think critically and work effectively with others is crucial for developing impactful projects. In the case of team work, coordination and project management skills are also crucial.
FSFE: Have you seen any common mistakes or challenges among the participants?
Alexios: A common challenge is underestimating the importance of documentation and user experience. Participants sometimes focus heavily on technical aspects but overlook how their software will be used and understood by others.
FSFE: What impresses you the most in a project?
Alexios: I am most impressed by projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of user needs and provide innovative solutions to real-world problems. When participants show empathy and insight into their target audience, it elevates their work significantly. The best projects are the ones where the creators are also users, since they build something "to scratch their own itch."
FSFE: Why do you think this programming competitions is important for teenagers?
Alexios: This competition is important because it provides teenagers with a platform to express their ideas and develop skills that are crucial for their future careers. It encourages them to think critically, maybe work collaboratively, and understand the importance of sharing knowledge through Free Software
FSFE: What advice would you give to young programmers who want to improve their skills?
Alexios: I would advise young programmers to continuously challenge themselves with new projects, seek feedback from peers and mentors, and stay curious about emerging technologies. Engaging with the community and contributing to Free Software projects can also provide valuable learning experiences.
FSFE: In these last editions, you have been checking several YH4F projects. If you would have to give advice to the current participants, what would it be?
Alexios: My advice to current participants would be to focus on understanding the needs of their users and to prioritize clear communication and documentation. Additionally, do not be afraid to iterate and refine your ideas, embrace feedback as a tool for growth and improvement. It is rarely the case when a first idea is so well-formed that it has to remain unchanged during the development process.
We can run YH4F 2025 thanks to our supporters and sponsors Reinhard Wiesemann, Proxmox, Open Source Security Foundation and openSUSE. Visit the YH4F website for more details about the competitoin, the sponsors and the previous winners.