Karakalpakstan launches an Innovation Challenge
The Innovation Challenge is underway in Karakalpakstan, seeking innovative solutions to restore degraded and saline lands in Amudarya and Muynak districts.
The competition has a total prize fund of $40,000. Up to four winners will receive prizes of up to $10,000.
The competition aims to find practical solutions for land salinization and degradation. These solutions include salt-tolerant plants, nature-based restoration methods, water-saving technologies, biodrainage, sustainable production and business models, and digital tools like GIS, remote sensing, sensors, and artificial intelligence.
A fundamental requirement of the Innovation Challenge is that the proposed solution should be ready for real-world testing, safe, and suitable for local conditions. The pilot project will be carried out at an approved site within either Amudarya or Muynak district.
The competition is open to startups, private companies, non-governmental organizations, farmers’ associations, universities, research institutes, innovation centers, and technology developers that are registered as legal entities. Consortia may also submit applications.
Prize funds can be used to buy materials and equipment, improve prototypes, conduct fieldwork, hire specialists, monitor progress, and collaborate with local communities.
Applications are open until September 4, 2026. Submissions can be made in Uzbek, Karakalpak, or Russian, using PDF or Word files.
The competition is part of the Aral Sea Wetlands project, which is supported by the UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan and local partners.
Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA
