Coolest Projects: A Complete Guide

Coolest Projects is a global showcase for young tech creators. Participants present games, apps, websites, robots, and more. In this blog, we’ll explain how to participate and what kinds of projects you can enter. We’ll also highlight key dates, prizes, and previous winners, and offer tips to help your project stand out.

• What Is Coolest Projects?
• Coolest Projects Awards and Prizes
• How to Qualify for Coolest Projects
• How to Get into Coolest Projects
• How to Win Coolest Projects
• Coolest Projects Previous Winners
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is Coolest Projects?

The Raspberry Pi Foundation hosts Coolest Projects, which includes in-person events in several countries and an online showcase that reaches creators everywhere. Whether you’re into coding, robotics, app design, or building websites, this is your chance to shine. 

You can submit something you’ve already built or start from scratch with a brand-new idea. As long as you’re 18 or younger, you’re good to go. Every event is totally free, and you’ll get helpful feedback, digital certificates, and even some fun swag to celebrate your hard work.

Take a look at the current lineup of 2025 in-person events:

This table shows just how many chances you have to get involved. If you’re from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, or Indonesia, go ahead and start creating your local events, as they are already set. These in-person gatherings are a great way to connect with other young innovators and proudly share what you’ve built.

If you’re in Nigeria, India, or South Africa, event dates are coming soon, so stay tuned. You can still get a head start on your project, so you’ll be ready when registration opens. The earlier you begin, the better your project will turn out!

Coolest Projects Awards and Prizes

The awards below are based on what past winners have received, so you can get an idea of the kinds of recognition you might earn:

Future Maker Prize

This prize is for big ideas that show bold thinking and profound impact. If your project tackles a real problem and shows a unique solution, you might be in the running. Judges look for creativity, usefulness, and how your project could shape the future.

Best International Prize

If you’re submitting a project from a different country than the event host, this is one to watch. The prize celebrates global talent and shows that innovation comes from everywhere. Your project could stand out by being creative and representing your country well.

Best Education & Learning Prize

This award goes to projects that help people learn something new. If you have built a game, app, or tool that teaches in a fun or helpful way, you might be a top contender. Judges love seeing tech used to make learning easier or more exciting.

Openet Innovator Prize

Innovation is the name of the game with this prize. If your project solves a problem in a smart and creative way, this one could be yours. The prize rewards original thinking and clever use of technology.

Best Female Led Prize

This prize celebrates projects led by girls or teams with strong female leadership. If you’re a girl leading your tech project, this award is a chance to highlight your skills. The judges want to see powerful ideas from female creators making an impact.

Best Original Design Prize

This award is all about how your project looks and feels. Whether it’s a stylish app, a creative robot, or a well-designed website, your design skills can shine here. If you put real thought into visuals, layout, or user experience, you have a good shot at winning this prize.

How to Qualify for Coolest Projects

Want to show off your fantastic tech project at Coolest Projects? Before you jump in, here’s everything you need to know to make sure you’re eligible, ready to register, and totally set to join the fun:

Eligibility

Here are the eligibility requirements to keep in mind:

• If you are 18 or younger and currently in primary, secondary, or high school, you’re good to go. Coolest Projects is for everyone who has made something cool with technology. You can join by yourself or work with up to four friends, creating a team of five max. 
• Just remember, everyone on your team needs to meet the age and school requirements, and you should all be available to attend the event together. When you sign up, you will need to include everyone’s name on the registration form.
• You can only enter one project per event, so pick your favorite. If the event you want to attend gets more submissions than it can handle, people involved in Code Clubs, CoderDojos, Raspberry Jams, or partner groups like Scouts UK may get priority. The organizers also try to ensure a good mix of categories, countries, and genders.

Required documents

No need to stress about paperwork! You just need a few basics to enter:

• A short description of your project
• A few photos or a video that shows what your project can do
• Some basic info about you, like your name, age, where you are from, and whether you are entering alone or with a team

There is no need for essays, grades, or a super polished project. Even if your project is still in progress, you can still enter. Just make sure it follows the rules and has no violent, inappropriate, or copyrighted content. 

You also need to choose one of the official event categories for your entry. Once you register, the organizers may use your project for educational or promotional purposes in the future. They will always credit you for your work, so there’s no need to worry.

Contest fees

Good news: joining Coolest Projects is entirely free! You will not have to pay anything to register or attend the event.

All the in-person events are free too. You just need to figure out how to get there and take care of your travel plans and gear. If you are bringing a laptop, robot, or other equipment, make sure to keep an eye on your stuff. 

Registration deadline

Here are the current deadlines and event dates for each location. If your country is not listed yet, hang tight; more updates will come soon.

If you are planning to submit a project, try to register early. The review team needs time to check everything out and confirm your spot. Getting in early also means less stress and more time to enjoy the whole experience.

Whether you are starting a brand new idea or already have something cool from school or a club, you can still enter. Now is a great time to start building and show the world what you can do.

How to Get into Coolest Projects

Getting into Coolest Projects is simple, but you still need to do each step right. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Make your project.

This is where the fun begins; you get to create something that’s entirely your own. You can build a brand-new project from scratch or submit something you’ve already made and are proud of. Whether it’s a game coded in Python, a website you designed, or a robot powered by Raspberry Pi, the possibilities are wide open.

Projects can fall into one of several categories:

• Scratch
• Games
• Web
• Mobile Apps
• Hardware
• Advanced Programming
• Artificial Intelligence (NEW for 2025)

Keep your idea creative and simple. It doesn’t have to be super advanced or complicated. You don’t need to be a coding expert to join in. What matters most is that it’s your original work and that someone else can understand what it does.

Check out the full list of categories to see where your project might fit best.

Step 2: Choose the right showcase.

You can join either the online showcase or an in-person event. If you’re in Ghana, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, or Malaysia, check the local event dates and locations to see if one fits your schedule. If you’re not near one of those places, the online showcase is open to everyone around the world.

Choose the option that works best for you and your availability. If travel or timing is tricky, the online version is a great way to participate without having to leave home. Both options give you a real chance to show off your hard work and connect with others who are also into tech.

Step 3: Register.

When you’re ready to sign up, head to the Coolest Projects website and fill out the short registration form. Keep in mind:

• If you’re under 13, you’ll need an adult, like a parent or teacher, to complete the form for you.
• If you’re 13 or older, you can go ahead and register on your own.

Take time to write a clear and simple project description. Talk about what your project does, why you made it, and how it works, which helps the team understand your idea. You’ll also need to upload a few good photos or a quick video showing it in action before you hit submit.

Head to this page to choose your event and register.

Step 4: Wait for confirmation.

After you submit everything, the Coolest Projects team will review your entry to make sure it follows the event rules. They’re not judging you or ranking projects; they just want to make sure everything is respectful, appropriate, and ready to be shared. Once your project is approved, you’ll get a confirmation email.

Be sure to check your email regularly, including the spam folder, so you do not miss the update. That confirmation means your project is officially in the gallery or event schedule, and you’re all set to be part of something amazing.

How to Win Coolest Projects

You already know Coolest Projects is your chance to show the world what you can do with tech, but how do you stand out and actually win one of the top awards? Here are some winning tips to help you shine:

1. Focus on solving a real problem.

Judges love projects that solve real-life problems. Whether it’s helping someone learn faster, stay safe, or feel more included, your idea needs to make life better in some way. So take a moment to think about what frustrates you or someone you care about. 

2. Make your project easy to understand.

Even the most brilliant idea needs to be explained clearly. Your project might be amazing, but if no one gets what it does, they’ll miss the magic. Show what your project does through photos or a short video, and when you write the description, pretend you’re explaining it to a friend who has never used a computer before. 

3. Keep your design clean and creative.

Your project should look and feel good to use. That means picking colors that match, buttons that make sense, and a layout that is easy to follow. You do not need to be a graphic design pro; just take a little extra time to polish the way your project looks. Judges notice when something looks good and works smoothly.

4. Be original and authentic.

Coolest Projects is all about celebrating your voice, your creativity, and your ideas. So, do not copy someone else’s project. Ask yourself, “What makes my project mine?” Maybe it’s your story, your design style, or the way you built it from scratch. Bring that out in everything you do.

5. Practice your explanation before you submit.

Whether you’re showing your project online or in person, you’ll need to explain it clearly. Practice talking about your project out loud. What did you build? Why did you make it? How does it help? The more you practice saying it, the more confident and clear you’ll sound when it counts.

Coolest Projects Previous Winners

Check out these impressive past winners who turned their creative tech ideas into real solutions. These projects won special awards at Coolest Projects International and show just how far your idea can go when you bring it to life:

1. Harvey – Intelligentia (Future Maker Prize)

Harvey, from Dublin, built an app called Intelligentia that helps find missing people by analyzing photos you already take on your phone. The app works in the background and alerts the proper authorities when it sees someone who might be missing. Harvey’s idea shows how tech can literally save lives, and that’s what won him the Future Maker Prize.

2. Andrei, Ioana, David, and Bianca – AZ-Tech Teddy (Best International Prize)

This team from Romania tackled childhood obesity with a smart E-health teddy bear. The bear connects to an app that helps kids track screen time, fitness habits, and healthy eating. They used a Raspberry Pi and created something fun and educational that really impressed the judges.

3. Adriana – Wonder Fair (Best Education & Learning Prize)

Adriana from Cork created a project based on the book Wonder to help people understand what it’s like to live with learning or physical differences. Her project gave others a chance to step into someone else’s shoes, encouraging empathy and kindness. It’s a great example of using tech to teach real-life values.

4. Freddie – Face Recognition Door Entry System (Openet Innovator Prize)

Freddie from Wales built a face recognition system designed to help people with dementia. It identifies visitors at the door and lets the homeowner know if it’s safe to open. His project is simple, helpful, and full of compassion, precisely the kind of innovation this prize celebrates.

5. Aisling – Girls Do Code (Best Female Led Prize)

Aisling from Dublin created a website that promotes coding for girls. Her site includes coding club locations, bios of famous women in tech, and tons of inspiration for anyone just getting started. She built it using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and even pulled in data using real APIs.

6. Radu – The Cult (Best Original Design Prize)

Radu came from Romania to show off his game, The Cult, which combines magic and tech in a richly detailed world. He designed it in Unreal Engine and sculpted parts of the characters himself in Sculptris. With stunning visuals and creative storytelling, his game wowed the judges and earned him the design award.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can join Coolest Projects?

Anyone who is 18 or younger and currently in primary, secondary, or high school can join. You can enter on your own or as part of a team with up to five people total. Coolest Projects is open to all levels of experience, as long as your work is original and appropriate.

2. Where is Coolest Projects held?

Coolest Projects includes both in-person events and an online showcase, so you can participate no matter where you live. For 2025, confirmed in-person events will take place in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Malaysia, India, and South Africa. If you’re not near one of these locations, the online showcase is open to creators worldwide.

3. What projects does Coolest Projects accept?

Coolest Projects accepts any tech-based project that showcases creativity. All entries must fall into one of the official categories: Scratch, Games, Web, Mobile Apps, Hardware, Advanced Programming, or Artificial Intelligence. You can submit something brand new or a project you’ve already built.

4. How much does it cost to join Coolest Projects?

Coolest Projects is 100% free to join and attend, whether you’re doing it online or in person. You won’t need to pay to register or get your project into the showcase. If you’re going to an in-person event, just make sure you can handle your travel and bring whatever tech you need for your project.

Takeaways

• You can join Coolest Projects for free. You just need to be 18 or younger and have something cool you built using tech.
• Whether it’s a robot, game, app, or website, you get to show off your project to people around the world who actually care about what you made.
• Your project does not need to be perfect, just original and yours; even unfinished projects are welcome.
• You’ll meet other teens like you who love tech, get a digital certificate, and maybe even score some swag for all your hard work.
• A college admissions expert can help you showcase your coolest projects in your college application, highlighting your creativity, problem-solving skills, and passion, making your application truly stand out.