LocationsDigital Solutions for Energy Efficiency: Youth Takes the Lead
November 14, 2025
From easing the strain on household budgets to mitigating a mounting environmental pressure, energy efficiency stands out as one of the most effective strategies for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening energy security.
In Belarus, where over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy sector, the need for energy-efficient solutions is particularly clear. While the capital and regional centres have seen some progress, the adoption of energy-efficient technologies is still rather low in small towns and rural areas.
Digital solutions offer a promising pathway to bridge this gap. From smart meters to AI-driven analytics, digital tools offer real-time oversight of energy use and turn utility bills into actionable data.
Powering the future: Youth take the lead
On 10–11 November, Belarusian students gathered in Minsk for the EnergyThon, a two-day hackathon designed by UNDP Accelerator Lab to tackle exactly that challenge. Teams from five universities and colleges came together to develop digital solutions for smarter energy use, focusing on small towns and rural communities. Over two intense days, they designed web applications for smart homes and electric heating systems, using artificial intelligence and digital prototyping platforms.
The collaborative environment encouraged teamwork, brainstorming and hands-on experimentation.
From Idea to Prototype
Creating a strong digital solution meant first understanding the problem. Guided by mentors, the participants explored the bigger picture using PESTLE analysis, examining political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors that shape energy use in rural areas.
Text-to-image prompts helped visualise the end users: residents grappling with high costs, confusing data, and misconceptions about energy-saving options. The teams then mapped user journeys, charting how people interact with energy systems in their homes and spotting where technology could make the biggest difference.
By the end of day one, each team had a prototype of a web-based app built with the help of AI — a practical demonstration of how innovation can serve sustainability.
Mentors and experts from UNDP, the Department of Energy Efficiency, Belenergo, and BeltEI guided participants throughout, helping refine concepts into functional prototypes and providing detailed feedback on the final presentations.
And the winners are...
The hackathon blended structured learning with creative problem-solving, resulting in a range of practical and relevant digital solutions.
The top prize went to the team from Minsk State Energy College, who created a web application to manage a single-phase smart electricity meter — a solution helping households monitor and control their energy use with greater precision.
Second place was awarded to the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University. Their digital platform helps calculate the full cost of installing smart home systems, making energy-efficient technologies more accessible and easier to understand.
Third place went to the Belarusian National Technical University, whose prototype focused on installing photovoltaic systems and bringing renewable energy solutions closer to rural communities.
The teams from the International Sakharov Environmental Institute of the Belarusian State University and the Belarusian State Technological University received special recognition for their work on a single app for managing smart devices and a web platform to help users choose energy-efficient heat pumps and calculate related costs.
Building skills for a sustainable future
The EnergyThon underscored the growing role young people play in shaping Belarus’ sustainable future. For many, the event became the first opportunity to apply digital skills to real-world energy challenges and gain hands-on knowledge in project design – both increasingly valuable for emerging jobs in the green economy.
“This event is not only a step forward for my career, but also for the future of energy efficiency in our country,” said Anya, a soon-to-graduate energy technician. “Many people are afraid of new technologies. With our smart meter app, we tried to make them easier to understand and set clear goals for energy use.”
“It was my first time working with digital tools, and it was fascinating to see how technology can be applied to something as practical as saving energy,” noted Kostya, a fellow member of the winning team.
For UNDP, the hackathon continues more than twenty years of work supporting Belarus’ sustainable energy goals — from energy-efficient housing and industrial buildings to smart street lighting, local fuels, and smart city initiatives. Securing this mission in a digital future depends on investing in young people. In an age of AI, their innovative potential is not merely an advantage; it is essential for building a resilient and competitive economy.
The Energython was organized by the Department of Energy Efficiency and UNDP jointly with the RUE Belenergo and the Education Committee of the Minsk City Executive Committee.
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