NDC3.0 provides a unified framework for Kyrgyzstan’s climate-resilient development, combining mitigation targets for 2030 and 2035 with national adaptation priorities through 2030. As one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Kyrgyzstan increasingly relies on digital innovation and youth engagement to turn climate priorities into applied, scalable solutions.

The hackathon engaged young people aged 18–35, who worked on projects aligned with the key sectoral priorities outlined in NDC3.0: renewable energy, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, as well as adaptation priorities including water resource management and climate-resilient agriculture, which are central to the country’s national adaptation agenda. Special emphasis was also placed on digital climate education as an investment in long-term human and institutional capacity.

“We see how the country’s digital ecosystem can make a tangible contribution to addressing climate challenges. The hackathon demonstrated that Kyrgyzstan has talented youth and strong technological potential to support the implementation of NDC 3.0,” said Chubak Temirov, Deputy Director of the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic.

At the first stage, 128 team applications were submitted from across the country. Following regional semi-finals in Karakol, Osh, and Bishkek, 22 teams advanced to the national final, representing Batken, Osh, Naryn, Issyk-Kul regions, and the city of Bishkek.

The final stage, held on 10 February 2026 at the Bishkek Technopark, became a platform for showcasing the most promising youth-led digital climate solutions, with a strong focus on practical applicability and implementation potential.

“NDC 3.0 is a strategic document that defines the country’s pathway toward climate-resilient development. Digital4Climate.KG clearly demonstrates how NDC priorities can be implemented through innovation, technology, and the active engagement of youth,” emphasized Asel Raimkulova, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Finalist teams presented their projects to an expert jury, initiative partners, and representatives of government institutions. First place was shared by two teams: Botaniki from Issyk-Kul Oblast and Smart Teplitsa from Osh Oblast. Second place was shared by Bars from Chui Oblast and GreenVUZ from Osh Oblast. Third place was taken by the Zero Waste Eco team from Chui Oblast. 

Winners received non-monetary prizes equivalent to USD 7,000, 5,000, and 2,000, provided in the form of technical and expert support to help transform ideas into functional digital solutions. The prize package was provided by UNDP, Enactus Kyrgyzstan, GEEKS International IT Academy, PROLab IT companies group, and Eldik Bank.

First place in the hackathon was shared by two teams: the Botaniki team from the Issyk-Kul region developed the AquaGov platform, a convenient digital tool for filing complaints about water supply problems and monitoring the work of water utilities. The service helps residents quickly report problems, and utility services see weak spots and respond more quickly. The solution from the Smart Greenhouse team from the Osh region proved to be no less technological: a smart system for automating greenhouses that helps farmers control the climate, save water, and respond more quickly to plant problems. This approach reduces the risks associated with weather conditions and helps to obtain a more stable harvest. 

Second place was also shared by two teams: the Bars initiative group from the Chui region with their EcoLife platform, which engages young people in eco-friendly activities through games, challenges, and joint campaigns. The project helps to make caring for the environment a habit and provides convenient tools for participating in separate waste collection and eco-initiatives. The second winners, the GreenVUZ team from the Osh region, proposed the TreeTracker project, a service for recording planted trees and monitoring their condition. The project contributes to increasing the transparency of environmental initiatives, reducing the risks of uncontrolled logging, and developing civic responsibility for the conservation of forest resources. 

Third place went to the Zero Waste Eco team from the Chui region, which developed the Floating Phyto-Islands project to restore polluted and swampy water bodies. The solution helps purify water and restore oxygen to water bodies without the use of chemicals and can be used in fish farms, tourist areas, and recreational areas.

“Climate change is one of the most serious global challenges of our time, and meeting it requires moving decisively from commitments to implementation. As Türkiye assumes the COP31 Presidency in Antalya this year, our focus will be on closing the implementation gap through strong partnerships and practical climate action. Digital4Climate.KG is an inspiring example of how youth-led digital innovation can support national climate implementation, from smart agriculture to clean energy, while contributing to global climate goals. Engaging young people as full partners in climate action is essential, and Türkiye will continue to promote initiatives that empower youth to deliver tangible, scalable solutions,” said Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Ambassador’s participation also underscored the international dimension of the initiative: in 2026, Türkiye will host COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Antalya. This further strengthens the focus on practical, scalable solutions and partnerships — an approach clearly demonstrated by Digital4Climate.KG.

For UNDP, advancing digital solutions is a key accelerator of climate action — from improving data and decision-making to engaging citizens, businesses, and youth. In this context, Digital4Climate.KG reflects UNDP’s systemic approach, integrating climate policy, digital transformation, and national priorities outlined in Kyrgyzstan’s National Digitalization Programme.

“The NDC serves as a roadmap for innovators and investors. It outlines the key pathways for sustainable economic growth, education, and the jobs of the future. That is why UNDP has joined hands with the Government, international experts, the private sector, and youth to develop pilot solutions,” said Ms. Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic.

“Supporting Digital4Climate.KG reflects the Bank’s commitment to fostering a climate and digital innovation ecosystem and empowering young entrepreneurs who offer practical solutions for the sustainable development of the Kyrgyz Republic,” said Aizhan Kariyeva, Member of the Management Board of Eldik Bank OJSC.

The Digital4Climate.KG Hackathon was supported by UNDP in partnership with Enactus Kyrgyzstan, the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic, GEEKS International IT Academy, and the PROLab IT companies’ group.

“For us, this hackathon was not just about talking about climate change, but about proposing real solutions. We see how digital technologies can help our country adapt to climate change and make development more sustainable. What matters most is that the voices of young people were heard,” said one of the hackathon participants representing a finalist team.

Digital4Climate.KG became Kyrgyzstan’s first large-scale national platform focused on supporting digital climate solutions under NDC3.0. It confirmed the potential of youth as a driving force for climate transformation and sustainable development, serving as a convergence point for youth initiatives, the private sector, and the donor community to build long-term partnerships and advance systemic, nationally scalable climate solutions.