As part of the Fourth GCC Housing Week, and coinciding with the second edition of the Social Housing Innovation Conference and Exhibition 2026, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Eskan Bank, the third edition of the GCC Housing Hackathon has commenced under the theme “A Youth Vision for the Future of Housing,” in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Participants will take on a challenge to develop a comprehensive vision for a real site designated for one of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning’s projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Teams will receive essential information about the site and the challenge requirements, enabling them to develop concepts for an innovative and sustainable housing project that considers optimal land use, residents’ needs, and the practical feasibility of the proposed ideas.

The hackathon brings together five university students from each GCC member state, providing an opportunity to exchange expertise and combine knowledge across disciplines, including architecture, engineering, urban planning, real estate development, finance, and sustainability.Over two days, the teams will develop their proposals at the Innovative Housing Solutions Lab, with support from experts and mentors. Their proposals may address housing unit designs, community facilities and services, sustainability features, as well as preliminary ideas for partnerships and suitable financing models.

At the conclusion of the hackathon, teams will present their visions to a specialized judging panel, highlighting their key ideas for site development, innovative features, and anticipated social and economic value. The best designs will be selected, and the winning teams will be honored during the conference.

The hackathon aims to provide young people from GCC countries with an opportunity to address a real-world housing challenge and present ideas with the potential for further development, contributing to the creation of residential communities that meet families’ needs and support the future of the social housing sector across GCC countries.