Astana, Kazakhstan – Mr Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Inter-institutional Relations and Foresight awarded the winners of the European Union (EU) contests #Reels4SustainableEnergy and for the best Sustainable Energy Mural Design, and announced the main prize – a study tour to Europe to learn about the European experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable energy transition (to be organised by the EU-funded SECCA project tentatively in autumn 2023).

Addressing the participants of the Conference and the contestants, Vice-President Šefčovič reiterated the EU support and stated: It is always a pleasure to see such innovation and creativity, especially when it comes to a topic as important as sustainable energy – a key solution to tackling climate change. Efforts to raise awareness, such as the Sustainable Energy Days are instrumental in motivating citizens in acting together for the green transition. We need engagement for all, and not least the younger generation, to succeed in saving our planet.”

The EU’s regional contest #Reels4SustainableEnergy among university students, young researchers and young professionals in the area of engineering, energy, environment or climate studies from Central Asia was organized by the SECCA project with the aim to promote the environmental and economic benefits of saving energy, facilitate energy efficiency, increase public awareness on the need to scale up the use of renewable energy, and to foster creative capacity of young people. A total of 67 reels from all over the region were published on Instagram and 6 winners of the reels contest were awarded:

I prize: Rakhmangylych Annageldyyew, Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy, and Water Diplomacy, Institute of International Relations (Turkmenistan)

II prize: Aisuluu Kolbaeva, Snow Leopard Foundation (Kyrgyzstan) and Aruzhan Yerzhanova, CATEK Green Energy LLP (Kazakhstan)

III prize: Arman Makhambetov, JSC “KEGOC” (Kazakhstan), Mukhit Askaruly, Al-Farabi Kazakh National university (Kazakhstan), and Darkhan Zhaliyev, JSC “Intergas Central Asia” (Kazakhstan).

The purposes of the EU’s contest for the best mural design in Kazakhstan called “Sustainable Energy for a Better Future”, also organized by SECCA, were to raise awareness of the need to switch to green energy and energy efficiency, create understanding of sustainable energy concept and promote creative growth of talented artists and their involvement in the formation of the capital city’s positive image, taking into account current climate advocacy trends. 40 works were received from the contestants, and 2 winners were announced after careful evaluation:

I prize: Zhuldyz Serikova and II prize: Medgat Mussayev (Kazakhstan).

The work of Zhuldyz Serikova will be reproduced on the wall of the School-Lyceum №59, the most energy efficient school of the city of Astana, as identified based on the desk research of the SECCA project among 100 public schools of the capital city.

The Award Ceremony was held as part of the International Conference “Sustainable energy in Kazakhstan: prospects and challenges” organised within the 1st EU – Kazakhstan Sustainable Energy Days.

Background: The Conference “Sustainable energy in Kazakhstan: prospects and challenges” was part of the III International Congress “Carbon Neutrality Pathways” (Congress) organised by the Association of Regional Environmental Initiatives “Ecojer” in close cooperation with the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia” (SECCA) and with the support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan. More than 70 high-level officials from the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Union (EU), sustainable energy experts, representatives of civil society, business, and international financial institutions attended the event.

The EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” (from March 2022 to March 2026) aims to promote a sustainable energy mix in the Central Asia region in line with EU best practices. To fulfil its mission, SECCA strives to provide for strengthened and more inclusive policy, regulatory and institutional framework for the transition to a sustainable energy system, within a regional context, and focuses on contributing to the fulfilment of international human rights commitments in CA countries, including equal access to energy, and supporting gender inclusive policies and legislation for energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE). The project activities include capacity development for EE and RE deployment, awareness raising on EE and RE, and improving investment climate for EE and RE projects.

For additional information, please contact Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova, Communication strategist, SECCA, email: media@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77019814020, Mrs Nurgul Smagulova-Dulic, Digital Communication Expert, SECCA, email: nurgul.smagulova@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77012066760, or the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan: delegation-kazakhstan-pic@eeas.europa.eu.

The Award Ceremony video

The video of first prize winner of the regional EU contest #Reels4SustainableEnergy 

The designs of winners of the EU contest in Kazakhstan for the best mural design:

The Award Ceremony photographs