Bishkek, June 15, 2026. /Kabar/. The national "ESG Leader" competition, based on the results of 2025 has been announced in Kyrgyzstan. The competition aims to develop and promote sustainable development principles among small and medium-sized businesses.
The competition is organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, Eldik Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the international payment system Mastercard.
The competition to identify and support small and medium-sized businesses implementing ESG approaches in their operations, including environmental responsibility, social engagement, and the development of transparent corporate governance.
Representatives of small and medium-sized businesses from across Kyrgyzstan, regardless of industry, are invited to participate. The main requirement is the presence of completed projects or initiatives in the field of sustainable development.
The competition includes three nominations:
— "Best Climate Project of the Year"
— "Innovation of the Year in Sustainable Development"
— "Best Green Project in Women's Entrepreneurship"
Competition applications will be evaluated based on a number of key criteria, including the business's contribution to addressing climate challenges, innovation, social impact, scalability, and financial sustainability of the proposed initiatives.
To participate, submit an online application describing the company's activities and proposed solution in the relevant nomination. Selected participants will have the opportunity to present their initiatives to an expert committee.
A winner will be determined in each nomination based on the results of the competition. The cash reward for each winner is 150,000 soms.
Application deadline: June 15 to July 15, 2026. The awards ceremony will take place as part of an official event, inviting all competition participants, representatives of government agencies, international organizations, and the business community.
The "ESG Leader" competition aims to foster a culture of responsible business conduct in Kyrgyzstan and encourage the implementation of sustainable solutions that contribute to the long-term development of the economy and society.
Detailed participation conditions and competition rules are available on the eldik.kg website.