Participants must submit a 5-slide PowerPoint (PPT) presentation outlining their environmental solution. If you have a working prototype, please create a video demonstration and provide the link during team registration.

Recommended Presentation Structure

Slide 1: Team & Institution Details

  • Name of the Institution/University
  • Institution/University Logo
  • Team Name (if applicable)
  • Names & roles of team members
  • Contact details (email & phone number of team leader)

Slide 2: Environmental Challenge

  • Clearly define the environmental problem your team is addressing.
  • Explain why it is important for Kazakhstan/Central Asia and how it impacts local ecosystems or communities.
  • Provide relevant statistics or examples that demonstrate the challenge's significance.

Slide 3: Sustainable Solution

  • Describe your innovative approach to addressing the environmental challenge.
  • Explain how your solution leverages technology to create sustainable impact.
  • Highlight any unique aspects of your solution that make it particularly suited for local conditions.

Slide 4: Environmental Impact & Feasibility

  • Quantify the potential environmental benefits of your solution (e.g., CO2 reduction, water saved, etc.).
  • Discuss the technical and economic feasibility of implementation in Kazakhstan/Central Asia.
  • Address how your solution compares to existing approaches in terms of efficiency and sustainability.

Slide 5: Implementation & Scaling Strategy

  • Outline a practical implementation plan with key milestones.
  • Address potential challenges specific to the local context and how they will be overcome.
  • Explain how the solution could be scaled across Kazakhstan or to other regions with similar environmental challenges.

Additional Submission Requirements

File Format

Submit your presentation in PowerPoint (.ppt or .pptx) format. Maximum file size: 10MB. Please ensure all fonts are embedded to avoid formatting issues during judging.

Prototype Documentation

If you have a working prototype, create a 2-3 minute demonstration video highlighting your solution's functionality and environmental impact. Upload to YouTube or Vimeo and provide the link during registration.

Challenge Category

Select the environmental challenge category that best represents your solution. If your project addresses multiple areas, choose the primary category and mention additional areas in your presentation.

File Naming Convention

Name your presentation file using the format: TeamName_Institution_ChallengeCategory.pptx (e.g., EcoSolutions_NazarbayevUniversity_WaterManagement.pptx)

Supporting Materials

You may include up to 3 additional pages in an appendix with technical specifications, data sources, calculations, or diagrams that support your environmental solution. These should be referenced in your main presentation.

Submission Deadline

All presentations must be submitted by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Astana time). Late submissions will not be considered for evaluation. Teams are encouraged to submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.

Important Notes

All submissions must be original work created specifically for the SmartEarth 2025 Hackathon. Plagiarism or repurposing of existing projects will result in immediate disqualification. Intellectual property rights remain with the participants, with Nazarbayev University granted the right to showcase winning solutions for educational and promotional purposes.

For any questions regarding submission guidelines, please contact smartearth@nu.edu.kz