🌍 Valga-Valka, known as the twin cities introducing themselves as “one city, two countries,” face unique challenges in fostering meaningful cross-border collaboration.

The Interreg Estonia-Latvia project Hack the Border brings together Estonian and Latvian youth aged 15-20 to hack the challenges of the twin city and to find real solutions for Valga–Valka’s future. 🤝

💡The project is not only about hacking ideas - it is about strengthening the community and building new skills. For the first time, close cooperation is created between schools in Valga and Valka, fostering trust and paving the way for future joint projects.

Through workshops and mentoring, participants will develop entrepreneurship and career skills: how to create and present ideas, communicate effectively, and work together. They will improve problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork - the very skills valued in today’s job market. 🚀

• 8 October 2025 - Opening event at Valka Cultural House. 

  
  

• 30 October - 1 November 2025 - HACKATHON in Kääriku, where mixed Estonian-Latvian teams will develop solutions for Valga-Valka challenges.

  
  

  During the hackathon, Estonian and Latvian youth will meet in Kääriku to work 2 days intensively on their ideas. In mixed teams, they will tackle real challenges faced by Valga-Valka and develop creative solutions that make life in the twin city better. The event will end with team pitches, where each team presents its ideas to the audience. After the hackathon, all the teams will continue developing their ideas further during mentoring sessions, workshops, and study trips.
  

  
  

• November 2025 - April 2026 - Mentoring, workshops, and study trips in Estonia and Latvia.

  
  

• May 2026 - The Demo Day (closing event), where all teams will present their final project concepts to the local community.
  
  

“Hack the Border” is a seed for future collaboration, allowing Valga-Valka youth to shape the future of the border town and step confidently into working life.

Garage48 (The Lead Partner)

Valga County Vocational Training Centre

Valka Jānis Cimze Gymnasium