GEO Mountains Youth Ideathon 2026

This event was originally published on the GEO Mountains website.

Summary

GEO Mountains, in collaboration with the Mountain Research Initiative and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) are pleased to announce an upcoming Youth Ideathon on Earth Observation for Disaster Risk Reduction in Mountain Regions, to be held in Obergurgl, Austria, in connection with the Regional Mountain Conference.

This Ideathon will bring together Early-Career Professionals and post-graduate students to collaboratively explore how Earth Observations (EO) can inform and support decisions on disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation options in mountain regions.

What to expect?

The programme is organised in two parts. The first part starts on Wednesday 1 July and ends on Sunday 5 of July, with a series of technical inputs, coaching sessions, workshops and group work. The second part, from Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 of July, with participation at the Regional Mountain Conference, including sessions at the conference to showcase results from the outcomes of the training.

During the first part of the event, participants will work in interdisciplinary teams on real-world challenges inspired by the Obergurgl region and other mountain areas worldwide, such as :

• Avalanche and snow instability
• Landslides and permafrost degradation
• Glacier retreat and cascading hazards
• Flash floods and debris flows
• Protection of critical mountain infrastructure
• Making EO-based risk information usable for decision-makers

Teams will be supported by scientific experts, practitioners, and policy advisors, and will develop solution concepts using EO data, innovative workflows, and learn to generate policy-relevant technical outputs and products.

Why participate?

• Enhance and apply technical skills on societal and policy-relevant challenges in mountain contexts
• Gain hands-on experience with Earth Observation data and tools
• Engage with experts and stakeholders from the mountain research and policy community
• Contribute ideas that are replicable across mountain regions.
• Expand professional connections and networks through engagement with diverse professionals from around the world.

Who should apply?

• Master’s and PhD students
• Post-doctorate and Early-Career Professionals  working on EO, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or any other relevant fields.

Travel support and full boarding for the duration of the event, plus conference registration, are covered by the organisers. However, the number of participants is limited, and applications will be evaluated and selected on a competitive basis.

Applications will open from Thursday 5 February 2026, with further information on application process, eligibility criteria, and draft programme.