Coding.Waterkant 2026

Coding.Waterkant 2026 will once again bring together the machine learning and AI community in Kiel.

For one week, the historic MFG5 site in Kiel-Holtenau becomes a collaborative playground where participants work on projects, attend workshops about the newest trends and topics in Machine Learning and AI, exchange ideas and build new collaborations — all in a relaxed festival atmosphere right by the Sea.

During Coding.Waterkant you will have the opportunity to:

• Dedicate four full days to machine learning and AI projects
• Work together with developers, researchers and ML enthusiasts
• Participate in hands-on workshops and technical sessions
• Receive feedback from invited experts and fellow participants
• Exchange knowledge with the community
• Present your work at the final project presentations

The event combines deep work, learning and networking with the relaxed atmosphere of the Baltic Sea.

💚 This year’s question: How green can you code?

Together with DigitalHub.SH, we’re putting a spotlight on Green Coding and sustainable software development.
If you’re working on projects around energy-efficient systems, sustainable AI or green software, bring them along.
And if not — that’s perfectly fine too. We are open to all kind of projects and new ideas usually emerge right at the water anyway.

See projects from 2025 here.

Participants are expected to:

• attend the full program Tuesday–Friday
• join the opening reception on Monday evening
• participate in project presentations on Friday
• take part in shared meals and networking activities

• Basis or advanced machine learning knowledge and coding skills are recommended
• Experienced programmers without ML background are also welcome as an entry point into the ML community
• Participants should bring a project or join an existing one
• All participants are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to ensure an open co-working environment. This is mandatory for participation in certain projects.

Participants from Germany may apply for Bildungsurlaub (educational leave) depending on the regulations of their federal state.

Sleeping accommodations are available on-site for participants from outside Kiel.

Participants arrive at the venue and the week begins with an opening reception at 6:00 pm including a Key Note and a shared dinner.
This is the moment to meet other participants, exchange first ideas and get an overview of the week ahead.

Tuesday morning starts with project pitches.

Participants who bring their own project will briefly introduce their idea.
Afterwards everyone can:

• join a project team
• work on their own project
• start a new project with others

From this point on, teams begin working on their projects.

The core of Coding.Waterkant takes place from Tuesday to Thursday.

During these days participants will:

• work on their projects in small teams
• attend technical workshops and expert sessions
• receive feedback from invited experts and fellow participants
• exchange knowledge with the community

Evenings include informal networking and community activities.

On Friday, all teams present their projects and results to the community.

This final session gives participants the chance to:

• showcase their work
• exchange feedback
• connect with potential collaborators for future projects

The event concludes with a closing session and community gathering.

Full catering is included on all event days.

See event schedule from last year: here.

Join us at the Waterkant

July 6–10, 2026
Kiel-Holtenau, MFG5 Gelände

A week of coding, machine learning, collaboration and Baltic Sea atmosphere.

Organized by opencampus.sh & Waterkant Festival
Supported by DigitalHub.SH & Ariva.de

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Waterkant Festival, MFG-5-Gelände, Halle 51, Kiel, Germany

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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