Call for applications: Regional Water Hackathon on Water Management
Training
- Date:
- Location:
- Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Source:
- Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, OSCE Secretariat
- Fields of work:
- Economic activities, Environmental activities
The OSCE, in collaboration with regional and international partners, is pleased to invite applications for the Regional Water Hackathon on Water Management, to be held on 7 and 8 September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The hackathon will bring together young professionals from across the Central Asian region to explore how technology, precision tools, digital solutions, and automation can contribute to more efficient and sustainable water management in water-stressed environments. Participants will engage with real-world challenges and work collaboratively to develop innovative, practical solutions that build on existing best practices and support improved planning, forecasting, and resource management.
Objectives:
The hackathon aims to:
- Foster the development of innovative, actionable solutions to pressing water-related challenges in the region.
- Provide young professionals with a hands-on platform to co-design practical responses to real-world water management issues.
- Promote the application of technology and innovation to strengthen sustainable water governance and resilience.
What to expect?
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Engage in expert-led presentations, discussions, and interactive sessions;
- Collaborate with peers and specialists from across the region;
- Expand their professional network through exchanges with experts and fellow young professionals;
- Explore practical applications of the water-energy-food nexus during a field visit.
Eligibility criteria:
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Age and nationality: Young professionals aged 18–35, nationals of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
- Educational and professional background: Education and/or professional experience in water management, food systems, energy, environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, or related fields.
- Experience and motivation: Demonstrated engagement in relevant fields, strong motivation to actively participate in all workshop and hackathon activities, including discussions and group work, as well as excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Language: The working language of the event will be English. Applicants should therefore have a good command of spoken and written English.
Application process:
Interested candidates are invited to complete the application form and submit the following materials:
- A CV in English or Russian.
- A short response to the following question of maximum 250 words:
In your view, what role can technology and innovation play in addressing water-related challenges in the region? Please provide a brief example.
Selection process:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Costs:
The OSCE will cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and meals for selected participants.