The Disruptive technology innovation challenge for landscape restoration in the Aral Sea watershed (Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan)

Since August 2020 a large-scale international project «Disruptive technology innovation challenge for landscape restoration in the Aral Sea Watershed” is launching for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Project is financed by the World Bank (CAWEP trust fund) and is implemented in partnership with the Kazakh-German University and Global Landscapes Forum.

Project is aimed at identifying regional and international level disruptive technologies and innovative approaches beneficial for the Aral Sea region.

Project will be implemented for the period from August 2020 till June 2021 in two countries — Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Project partners: State Committee on Forestry of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Forestry and Wildlife Committee Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Expected results: identification and collection at regional and international level disruptive technologies and innovative approaches beneficial for the Aral Sea region.

Disruptive technology innovation challenge is open for both international participants and participants from Central Asia. Application announcement is expected in the end of September 2020.

Main stages of the Project:

Stage 1. Baseline analysis, including a) identification of key landscape restoration constraints and priorities; b) market analysis of local innovators and start-ups, c) analysis of international experience on innovative startups and technologies application in similar context (August — September 2020);

Stage 2. Announcement of the call for proposals to participate in the Disruptive technology innovation challenge for landscape restoration in the Aral Sea watershed (Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan) (mid August — October 2020);

Stage 3. Capacity building activities: for short listed candidates — business idea development, business plan development, soft skills training (November 2020) and for the final grant-winners — business skills webinars, land restoration online knowledge exchange events, mentorship program for at least 3 grant-prize winners (January — June 2021); ⠀

Stage 4. Challenge Day. Selection of the winners of the Challenge (December 2020).