Over the past two years, Teens in AI and skincare leader Beiersdorf joined forces to empower under-resourced youth through the Care Beyond Skin Hackathon series. Together, we delivered nine in-person hackathons across Europe, giving hundreds of teens (ages 12–18) hands-on experience in technology and AI.

This collaboration reached underserved communities, providing participants with a fun, practical introduction to tech skills and values-driven learning. “If this is the future, we’re in good hands”, said Ana Maria Morales Schmid (Beiersdorf Country Manager, Spain & Portugal) of the young innovators, “They brought the brains, the heart, and just the right amount of bold.”

In line with Beiersdorf’s mission to “Care Beyond Skin”, the hackathon series specifically targeted teens who might otherwise lack such opportunities. The events paired expert mentorship with collaborative projects, challenging teams to develop AI-for-Good solutions addressing real United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Every hackathon was more than a coding contest – participants emerged with confidence, creativity, and a stronger sense of care for society. The goal was to provide under-resourced youth with an introduction to the world of technology and AI, fostering their dreams and future success.

Key Impact Highlights

➡️ 9 in-person hackathons:

A series of nine events across the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, brought hands-on AI experiences to under-resourced communities.

➡️ 438 teen participants (ages 12–18):

Hundreds of young people took part, with 54% identifying as female or non-binary and 65% from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

➡️ 88% now pursuing tech/AI:

In post-event surveys, nearly 9 in 10 participants said they are certain they want to study or work in technology or AI.

➡️ Built AI-for-Good:

Each hackathon challenged teams to develop creative AI solutions for real UN SDG problems, from health to sustainability.

Industry support: Leading organisations supported the series. Mentors and judges from Microsoft, Uber, Bolt, Salesforce, Deloitte, Airbus, Capgemini and others – as well as partners like the Spanish Red Cross – provided guidance, workshops and support at every event.

Voices of Impact

Students and mentors alike came away inspired. “I really learnt how to think out of the box – not to always stay in my comfort zone”, said Mensah (16), a hackathon participant. This sentiment – about growth, confidence and bold thinking – was echoed by Beiersdorf’s own leadership. Emilie Joubert (then VP Human Resources Europe, Beiersdorf, and hackathon judge) reflected on the experience: “It was an honour and so much fun to accompany all those teens and watching them discover their own inspiration and power to make an impact!”.

These testimonials highlight that the programme was about more than code. Beyond learning to programme or train models, teens gained teamwork skills, creative problem-solving, and a sense of purpose. They built friendships, presented ideas to real judges, and discovered that they – even in their teens – can shape technology to benefit people and planet.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate these achievements, Teens in AI and Beiersdorf extend heartfelt thanks for everyone’s contributions. We are grateful to Beiersdorf for investing in youth and diversity, and to our mentors and partners for their committed support.