This year’s winners will also have their own club, with access to experts, ideas and various opportunities
Esri Bulgaria and the Ministry of Education and Science, in partnership with nearly 60 leading academic, industry and media organizations, invite all teachers, university students and school students to take part in the National Educational Competition “Exploring the World with GIS” 2026. The competition is being organized for the fourth consecutive year to mark the official celebration of World GIS Day in Bulgaria and is part of the “GIS in Schools” Program.
How to take part in the largest educational GIS challenge
Participants can develop an interactive lesson, digital story, web application, map, 3D visualization or another GIS project on a topic from the school curriculum, an area of scientific or research interest, or simply an idea that inspires them. Geography, history, ecology, demographics, economics, technology and cultural heritage are just some of the possible areas.
Using the intuitive and easy-to-use applications of the ArcGIS platform, participants can create an interactive project that combines maps, data, images, text and visualizations. Each competition project must contain at least one 2D or 3D map.
Registration is open until 10 October 2026, and projects must be submitted by 31 October 2026.
This year, participation comes with one more opportunity
For the first time, the winners will have the opportunity to become part of the “Exploring the World with GIS” Winners’ Club – a new community for people who have demonstrated interest and skills in working with geospatial technologies. All winners will receive a digital badge, while club members will exchange ideas and experience, connect with experts from Esri Bulgaria, and take part in special initiatives and development opportunities related to GIS.
A place in a major exhibition and many prizes
All projects that meet the initiative’s requirements will be included in the virtual exhibition held as part of World GIS Day 2026 – the largest event dedicated to geospatial technologies in Bulgaria, bringing together more than 900 participants. For the second consecutive year, the People’s Choice Award will also be presented, giving the wider audience the opportunity to choose their favorite project.
Cash and non-cash prizes, specialized GIS training, vouchers and publication opportunities are provided for the winners.
“Nearly 19,000 students and teachers are already part of the ‘GIS in Schools’ community. We see how geospatial technologies are gradually becoming a natural tool for learning, research and discovery. The most interesting ideas are those that show how a map can tell a story, raise a question or make us look at a familiar topic in a new way.” – Miglena Kuzmanova, Managing Director of Esri Bulgaria
Anyone interested can register to participate in the competition until 10 October 2026 here.
The full competition rules are available at: “Exploring the World with GIS” 2026 Competition
The National Educational Competition “Exploring the World with GIS” is made possible with:
The support of:
“Sofiyska voda” AD, part of Veolia, and Ciela Norma.
In partnership with:
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Bulgarian Cartographic Association; Faculty of Geology and Geography at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; Institute for Geospatial Research and Technology; University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy; University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”; University of Forestry; Technical University – Sofia; New Bulgarian University; South-West University “Neofit Rilski”; University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (UniBIT); University of National and World Economy; Veliko Tarnovo University “St. Cyril and St. Methodius”; University of Telecommunications and Post; University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”; Shumen University “Bishop Konstantin Preslavski”; Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”; University “Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov” – Burgas; G. S. Rakovski National Defence College; Academy of the Ministry of Interior; Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy; Vasil Levski National Military University; Institute for Transport Infrastructure; Defence Institute “Prof. Tsvetan Lazarov”; D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics; Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT); Atlantic Club of Bulgaria; Bulgarian Geographical Society; Union of Landscape Architects; NGO Portal; BAGIS; SCGIS Chapter Bulgaria (Society for Conservation of Nature and Cultural Heritage with GIS – Bulgaria Chapter); Space School; “Hello, Space”; Center for Creative Learning; Educational Factory; Education 5.0 Foundation; National STEM Center; Teacher.bg; Uchi.bg; Prepodavame.bg; National High School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences “Acad. Lyubomir Chakalov” (NPMGH); Move.bg; Uchiteli.bg.
Media partners:
National Geographic Bulgaria; bTV Media Group; Dir.bg; Bulgarian National Radio (BNR); Bulgarian National Darik Radio; “Az-Buki” National Publishing House for Education and Science; Obekti; Nauka.bg.