Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, EU and UNDP announce Ozun Yarat contest winners

Over 200 submissions were received on Azerbaijan’s first upcycling platform, launched this World Environment Day, with the aim to encourage more people to upcycle products they’d normally throw away. 

“Ozun Yarat has brought together hundreds of people to promote upcycling through creative and amazing solutions. These upcycled solutions gave a new life to waste. These solutions are both economically viable and they help protect the environment”, said Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Firdovsi Aliyev.

“The Ozun Yarat platform was launched with the help of the EU two months ago to encourage people to share creative ways of upcycling objects to reduce harmful waste and conserve the environment. The response has been fantastic, with over 200 imaginative contributions received so far, showing the remarkable talents of the people of Azerbaijan in arts and crafts and their strong commitment to protecting nature. The message of this project is that change starts from home, meaning that each and every one of us should lead by example in caring for our natural environment”, said EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas.

“The COVID-19 lockdown has been extremely stressful for many millions of people. At the same time these difficult circumstances have presented an opportunity for learning new skills and making our own personal contributions to helping build back better and greener from home. We each need to do more to help pave the way to a sustainable future. And we can do this by turning towards a circular economy in which products are made, used and then upcycled and reused. The creativity and skills of young Azerbaijanis displayed on the Ozun Yarat site are truly inspiring.”, said UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Charu Bist.

A jury composed of experts and development professionals reviewed all submissions.

The first prize (3,000 AZN) was awarded to Leyla Mammadova for her “Plastic bags” project, which aims to provide a sustainable solution to the plastic pollution challenge.

The second prize (2,000 AZN) was awarded to Said Aliyev for making a portable barbecue case out of scrap metal.

The third prize (1,000 AZN) was awarded to Kamran Gasimzade for using an old metal barrel to create a colourful sink that can be used in any home.

The fourth prize was awarded to Aynur Bashirova for making ‘Qatiqliq’, a dress for jars to prepare yogurt, and the fifth prize went to Aysu Maharramli for building a ‘dreamhouse’ from cardboard paper.

Special mention awards were also presented to Sona Maharramova, Eldar Hamidov, Rasim Mahmudov, Murad Shamkhalli, Ramin Akbarov, Said Aliyev, Banuchichak Gurbanova, Gunel Huseynli and Khayala Mammadova.

The Ozun Yarat platform was launched as part of the #EUforClimate regional initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which aims to help accelerate climate action in all six countries of the Eastern Partnership region.