Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
Wiki Loves Earth Kyrgyzstan invites photography enthusiasts to document the country’s natural heritage sites through original photographs uploaded to Wikimedia Commons. The competition offers gift certificates worth up to 18,000 Kyrgyz som, with awards for top winners and five special nominations.
Overview
Wiki Loves Earth is an internationally recognized photography competition that promotes the documentation and conservation of natural heritage sites.
In Kyrgyzstan, the competition encourages participants to capture eligible nature monuments, landscapes, plants, animals, protected areas, and other natural features. Submitted images help improve open knowledge resources and make Kyrgyzstan’s natural heritage more visible to global audiences.
Key Details
- Competition: Wiki Loves Earth Kyrgyzstan
- Country: Kyrgyzstan
- Platform: Wikimedia Commons
- Eligible content: Original photographs
- Subject: Eligible nature monuments in Kyrgyzstan
- Minimum image quality: 2 megapixels
- AI-generated images: Not eligible
- Awards: Gift certificates
- First prize: 18,000 Kyrgyz som
Focus Areas
The competition focuses on natural heritage conservation and visual documentation.
Key themes include:
- Natural heritage sites
- Nature monuments
- Protected areas
- Landscapes
- Macro photography
- Close-up photography
- Plants
- Animals
- Biodiversity
- Natural features
- Wikimedia Commons photography
- Open knowledge
Who is Eligible?
Participation is open to anyone.
Participants must:
- Have a Wikimedia Commons account.
- Use an account with an activated email address.
- Submit only original photographs taken by themselves.
- Upload photographs during the official contest period.
- Photograph eligible nature monuments in Kyrgyzstan.
- Include required image details and licensing information.
Submission Requirements
Each photograph must:
- Be the participant’s original work.
- Depict an eligible nature monument in Kyrgyzstan.
- Be uploaded during the official contest period.
- Include a description.
- Include licence information.
- Include geographic coordinates.
- Meet the minimum quality requirement of 2 megapixels.
- Not be AI-generated.
Prizes and Awards
Prize winners will receive gift certificates.
Awards include:
- First place: 18,000 Kyrgyz som
- Second place: 15,000 Kyrgyz som
- Third place: 10,000 Kyrgyz som
- Five special nominations: 7,000 Kyrgyz som each
How to Participate
Step 1: Create a Wikimedia Commons Account
Participants must have a Wikimedia Commons account with an activated email address.
Step 2: Choose an Eligible Nature Monument
Select a natural heritage site or nature monument in Kyrgyzstan that is eligible for the competition.
Step 3: Take Original Photographs
Capture your own photographs of landscapes, plants, animals, protected areas, or natural features.
Step 4: Prepare Required Details
Prepare the image description, licence information, and geographic coordinates.
Step 5: Upload During the Contest Period
Upload the photograph to Wikimedia Commons during the official contest period.
Step 6: Check Image Quality
Make sure the image is at least 2 megapixels and is not AI-generated.
Why It Matters
The competition helps document and promote Kyrgyzstan’s natural heritage.
It matters because it:
- Supports natural heritage conservation.
- Promotes Kyrgyzstan’s landscapes and biodiversity.
- Encourages public participation in photography.
- Expands freely accessible images on Wikimedia Commons.
- Improves visual resources for Wikimedia projects.
- Highlights protected areas and nature monuments.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Participants should avoid:
- Uploading AI-generated images.
- Submitting photos taken by someone else.
- Uploading images outside the contest period.
- Photographing sites that are not eligible.
- Forgetting geographic coordinates.
- Missing licence information.
- Providing no description.
- Uploading photos below 2 megapixels.
- Using a Wikimedia Commons account without an activated email address.
Tips for Strong Submissions
Participants should:
- Choose clearly eligible nature monuments.
- Use sharp and high-quality photographs.
- Add accurate descriptions and coordinates.
- Capture original perspectives.
- Highlight landscapes, plants, animals, or natural features.
- Ensure correct licensing information.
- Submit images useful for Wikimedia projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wiki Loves Earth Kyrgyzstan?
It is a photography competition that invites participants to document Kyrgyzstan’s natural heritage sites through Wikimedia Commons.
Who can participate?
Anyone can participate if they have a Wikimedia Commons account with an activated email address.
What photos are eligible?
Only original photographs of eligible nature monuments in Kyrgyzstan are accepted.
Are AI-generated images allowed?
No. AI-generated images are not eligible.
What is the minimum image quality?
Photographs must meet a minimum quality requirement of 2 megapixels.
What prizes are available?
Winners receive gift certificates: 18,000 Kyrgyz som for first place, 15,000 Kyrgyz som for second place, 10,000 Kyrgyz som for third place, and 7,000 Kyrgyz som for each of five special nominations.
What details must be included?
Each submission must include a description, licence information, and geographic coordinates.
Conclusion
Wiki Loves Earth Kyrgyzstan gives photographers an opportunity to showcase the country’s natural heritage while contributing to Wikimedia Commons. By submitting original, well-described photographs of eligible nature monuments, participants help promote conservation, biodiversity awareness, and open access to visual knowledge.
For more information, visit Wikimedia Commons.
