Bulgarian students from across the country and abroad are invited to take part in a unique research competition focused on climate change
The first edition of the National Student Hackathon “GIS and Climate: Solutions for the Future” has officially launched – a large-scale initiative aimed at applying innovative geospatial (GIS) technologies to tackle climate adaptation challenges in Bulgaria.
This pioneering format brings together science, technology, and civic engagement. Its mission is to inspire student teams to develop original projects based on spatial analysis, digital mapping, and data-driven insights, offering practical ideas for adapting to the changing climate and its impact on Bulgaria’s territory.
The competition gives students valuable hands-on experience in real scientific processes and promotes the use of GIS as a powerful tool to understand and address climate-related challenges. It also marks the beginning of a national network of young researchers committed to a more sustainable future and the development of the country.
The hackathon was officially announced on June 3, 2025, during the inaugural Day of Applied Geography and Geospatial Technologies, held at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
“The hackathon is a fantastic opportunity to bring your ideas to life – we look forward to your active and enthusiastic participation. We believe that student-driven projects can generate practical and innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.”
— Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stelian Dimitrov, Director of the National University Center for Geospatial Research and Technologies and Chair of the Bulgarian Geographical Society
Participation in the GIS competition is open to Bulgarian students at all academic levels – undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral – studying in Bulgaria or abroad. Teams can consist of 2 to 5 participants, and proposed projects may cover a wide range of climate change-related topics, from natural disasters, risk zones, and biodiversity loss to resource management and environmental protection. A key requirement is that each project be based on the application of modern geoinformation technologies.
The deadline to submit project proposals is June 30, 2025. A jury of leading academic experts and a representative from Esri Bulgaria will select up to 10 teams to advance to the next stage. In this phase, teams will implement their approved projects, each receiving up to BGN 1,000 in funding. All projects must be developed using the ArcGIS platform, and organizers will provide free licenses for ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Pro Plus, ArcGIS Online, and supporting web applications.
Finalized projects must be submitted by October 15, 2025. The top three teams will receive the following awards:
First Place: BGN 3,500
Second Place: BGN 2,000
Third Place: BGN 1,500
The winning projects will be officially presented on World GIS Day – November 19, 2025, in Sofia.
The hackathon is organized by the National University Center for Geospatial Research and Technologies, in partnership with the Bulgarian Geographical Society, and supported by Esri Bulgaria, Aerographica, and Geographica.
“Geospatial technologies are already part of the language of the younger generation. National initiatives like this highlight the real-world value of these technologies in student projects – empowering them as scientists, citizens, and visionaries. This is especially important today, as climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a social, economic, and political one.”
— Miglena Kuzmanova, Managing Director of Esri Bulgaria
Learn more and view the full participation guidelines for the National Student Hackathon “GIS and Climate: Solutions for the Future” here: https://bit.ly/3SXoRp1.
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