"OQ Startup" Creative Competition

REGULATIONS OF THE “OQ STARTUP” CREATIVE COMPETITION FOR THE BEST PROJECTS AMONG ETHNIC KAZAKHS ABROAD

I. Main Objective of the Competition

• The “OQ Startup” Creative Competition for the Best Projects is aimed at providing comprehensive support to projects in the fields of science, culture, IT, business, media, volunteering, as well as other creative and social fields.
• The main objective of the competition is to promote the original projects of Kazakh compatriots and ethnic Kazakhs living abroad in Kazakhstan, facilitate networking and the establishment of connections among participants, and support their creative initiatives.

II. Organization and Procedure for Conducting the Competition

1. Kazakh compatriots aged 15–30 who are citizens of foreign countries are eligible to participate in the competition.
2. Projects in the fields of science, culture, IT, business, media, volunteering, as well as other creative and social fields are accepted for the competition.
3. To present their project, participants must submit the following materials:

1. Project Presentation

• A horizontally recorded video in MP4 or MOV format, no longer than 2 minutes, or a presentation in PPTX or PDF format, consisting of no more than 10 slides.
• The video or presentation must briefly and clearly present the main content and relevance of the project, its objectives, target audience, implementation methods, and expected outcomes.

2. Brief Project Description (PDF format)

• The description must include the following information:

• project title;
• relevance of the project and the problem it aims to address;
• project objective;
• key project tasks;
• target audience (who the project is intended for);
• implementation mechanism and key activities;
• project implementation period;
• expected outcomes;
• resources required for project implementation.

• If funding is required to implement the project, the participant must indicate the requested amount of funding and provide a detailed budget in the PDF document. The budget must specify the name of each expense item, quantity, unit cost, and total cost.
• The submitted video or presentation should provide a concise and clear overview of the project, while the PDF description should provide a comprehensive explanation of the project.
• Projects that have already begun implementation, are currently being implemented, or are planned for future implementation are eligible for participation in the competition.
• If a project is already being implemented, the participant must provide information on its current results, achievements, and plans for further development.
• For a planned project, its objectives, tasks, implementation stages, timeline, and expected outcomes must be clearly specified.

4. Submissions are accepted via email at [email protected].
5. Participants must submit their work, along with the following personal information — full name, citizenship, university and year of study, and age — by October 30, 2026.
6. By submitting their work, participants consent to its publication on the official website and social media platforms of Otandastar Qory (Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram).
7. Works are accepted in Kazakh, Russian, or English.

III. Competition Period

• Creative works will be accepted from September 30 to October 30, 2026.
• The judging panel will determine the winners within 30 days after the competition closes.

IV. Competition Results and Awards

• Based on the results of the competition, the winners will receive the following awards:
• 1st Place: Laptop and diploma
• 2nd Place: Tablet and diploma
• 3rd Place: Smartwatch and diploma
• Special Recognition Prize: Bestemshe traditional board game and certificate of recognition