Call for Participation: ECOKyzdar Hackathon
University of Central Asia & United Nations Children's Fund Present:
Eco Kyzdar Hackathon
On behalf of UCA & UNICEF, we would like to cordially invite your institution to apply to Eco Kyzdar, a hackathon focused on climate change and environmental sustainability.
We are proud to present to you an all-female hackathon focused on empowering women and girls to create innovative solutions that address climate change and environmental sustainability issues in Kyrgyzstan.
The hackathon will take place April 15th-16th, 2023, at the University of Central Asia, Naryn.
The event will feature expert speakers in the field of environmental sciences, and teams will be mentored by subject matter experts through UCA to guide their proposals.
In addition to the hackathon, participants have the opportunity to attend workshops on pitch deck development, public speaking, fundraising, and entrepreneurship. These workshops will be led by experts in the field and will provide participants with valuable skills for their future careers.
During the hackathon weekend, presentations will take place, and a winner will be announced by expert judges.
The winning team will win $500, have the opportunity to be mentored further by professionals, and may be eligible for an investment of up to $10,000 to fund their proposals. 2nd place will receive a prize of $300 and 3rd place will receive $200.
Provisions Included:
We are pleased to offer the following provisions as part of our program:
- Transportation from Bishkek to UCA Naryn
- Transportation between your hotel and the Naryn campus
- A two-night stay in a comfortable Naryn hotel
- Meal arrangements for the duration of your stay
- Educational sessions on various topics including fundraising for startups, public speaking, pitch development, and valuable real-time feedback to enhance your presentations.
Eligibility:
To be considered for participation, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Girls aged 17-23
- Be currently a schoolgirl or enrolled in a 4-year undergraduate program at a university in Kyrgyzstan
- Have a strong interest in sustainability and environmental issues
How to Apply:
- Fill out the application form by April 10th, 2023
- Selection will be merit-based, and teams will be encouraged to submit a detailed proposal upon selection.
We look forward to receiving your applications and working with you to create innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Themes
- Saving the Kyrgyz/Central Asian Glaciers
The glaciers of the Kyrgyz/Central Asian mountains provide sufficient clean water in all communities of the Central Asian region. Through the years the impact of climate change has also impacted the glaciers. According to studies, if the current trends in climate change continues, the said glaciers will disappear soon impacting millions of Central Asian people in the region. How can these glaciers be saved?
- Increasing Agricultural Production
While Kyrgyz Republic may be a small nation in land area and population, a significant amount of its land is suitable for agricultural production. There is not much done to increase agricultural production to support economic development. Practices in fruit and vegetable production including raising of domesticated animals tend to remain traditional with little utilization of available agricultural technology. How to support local farmers to increase production and marketability of local agricultural products?
- Sustainable Tourism
In the last decade, tourism in Kyrgyzstan has greatly improved. A study conducted around Lake Issyk-kul shows that economic activities around the lake have changed from fishing to nowadays tourism. Significant amount of infrastructure has been built around the lake to cater tourists from different nations during summer, spring, and autumn and winter tourism has also begun to gain popularity. Past experiences show that without strong regulations and people cooperation, tourism can lead to environmental degradation of the tourist sites. What are the possible ways to ensure sustainable tourism in Kyrgyzstan?
- Air Pollution and Clean Energy
Kyrgyzstan has an abundance of coal and water. In fact, its energy sector is dependent on both. Nevertheless, there is a need to increase use of renewable energy to ensure sustainability. In winters, its big cities, such as Bishkek experience one of the worst air pollution in the world. How to make small communities consider clean energy sources?
- Environmental Justice and Women
In the last decade, the fight for the environment has significantly increased around the world. While many nations have already bridge issues related to women empowerment and gender equality related thereto, still there is a need to empower women and identify their role along environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and restoration, including climate justice. What specific ways can be undertaken to increase the participation of Kyrgyz women along with environmental justice?
