Urbathon Innovation Contest 2025

UNDP, in partnership with the Akimats of the North Kazakhstan Region and the city of Petropavlovsk, the Department of Emergency Situations of the North Kazakhstan Region, Qyzyljar Creative Center, and SKO Hub, announces the launch of Urbathon, a contest to collect innovative solutions to strengthen urban resilience in Petropavlovsk.

Urbathon invites individuals and teams to submit practical ideas that can help build a city resilient to disaster risks and climate change. Proposed solutions may include environmental and infrastructure projects, digital tools and services, creative initiatives, or educational programmes.

Who can participate: Students, urban planners, ecologists, IT specialists, designers, activists, and any interested residents, individually or in teams.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: 25 November 2025
2. Value: Prize fund: 300,000 KZT | Mentorship & incubation | Opportunity for up to $50,000 implementation funding
3. Study Level: Students, professionals, and general participants (not a traditional study scholarship—open innovation contest)
4. Sponsor: UNDP
5. Eligible Country: Kazakhstan

Eligibility Criteria for Urbathon Innovation Contest 2025

Urbathon is open to:

1. Students, urban planners, ecologists, IT specialists, designers, and activists.
2. Local residents interested in shaping the future of their city.
3. Individuals or teams, encouraging diverse expertise and collaboration.

Application Date and Process

1. Proposal Submission:
2. Submit innovative solutions by 25 November 2025.
3. Urbathon Event & Pitching:
4. Held on 29–30 November 2025 at the Qyzyljar Creative Center.
5. Teams present and pitch their ideas to experts and mentors.
6. Incubation Phase:
7. From December 2025 through 2026, selected projects receive ongoing mentorship and development support.

Benefits of Urbathon Innovation Contest 2025

1. Prize fund of 300,000 KZT
2. Mentorship and incubation programme
3. Opportunity to apply for implementation funding of up to $50,000 from UNDP donors

How to Apply

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepyeukHAZ2p_-lmRjl6GgfSS-q9WNg0P2VJTuHKPr_bVKDwQ/viewform

Urbathon is implemented as part of the project to enhance urban resilience to disaster risk and climate change in Central Asia, funded by the Government of Japan, and the project integrating climate adaptation into strategic planning in Kazakhstan, supported by the Green Climate Fund.

For more information on UNDP Call for ideas to Strengthen Urban Resilience in Petropavlovsk

Application Deadline:

25 November 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Urbathon Innovation Contest 2025