QS ImpACT has announced the launch of the third edition of the QS ImpACT Skills Challenge, a free, fully virtual global “Games for Good” competition that invites young people aged 18–35 to design playable digital games aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Skills Challenge brings together youth teams from across the world to tackle real-world sustainability challenges through creativity, technology, and collaboration. Since its launch in 2024, the challenge has engaged over 3,000 participants from 45+ countries and 70+ universities, offering young innovators a unique platform to turn ideas into action while building future-ready skills.
The QS ImpACT Skills Challenge 2026 is proudly sponsored by Zoom Communications, Inc., enabling inclusive, global participation through seamless virtual collaboration. The challenge is further supported by Bronze Partners including Next Lab at Arizona State University and University of Exeter, whose continued support strengthens the challenge’s global reach and learning experience.
The 2026 edition is open to participants of all experience levels and features two participation tracks: a Beginner No-Code Track designed for first-time creators, and an Advanced Coding Track for teams ready to build more complex gameplay and mechanics. All teams will receive free, expert-led training, access to practical toolkits, and hands-on guidance to support them through the game design process.
Winning teams will share a £2,000 seed funding pool to further develop and scale their impact-driven games, alongside global recognition through QS ImpACT’s international platforms and community of 10,000+ young people. Participants will also gain certificates, digital badges, and opportunities to showcase their work within QS ImpACT’s global community of universities, employers, and youth leaders.
Designed to deliver value across sectors, the Skills Challenge offers young people an applied learning experience focused on creativity, collaboration, AI thinking, and problem-solving. Universities benefit from a ready-to-run global programme that enhances employability and highlights student innovation, while corporate organisations gain meaningful opportunities to engage with emerging talent through mentoring, judging, and collaboration on sustainability-focused digital solutions.
All activities, including training sessions and collaboration, take place virtually to ensure accessibility for participants worldwide. The challenge will culminate in April 2026 with the announcement of winning and runner-up teams, followed by opportunities for selected teams to showcase their work at the Youth Summit 2026 in London alongside global youth leaders, universities, and industry partners.
Registrations for the QS ImpACT Skills Challenge 2026 are now open, with teams of two to five members invited to apply by 10 March 2026: https://qsimpact.org/skillschallenge/
For media enquiries, partnership opportunities, or to get involved in the Skills Challenge, please contact skillschallenge@qsimpact.org.
- QS Impact
