Deadline: 15-Jul-2026

The Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 in Kazakhstan invites photographers and videographers worldwide to document the country’s protected natural heritage sites through original photos and videos. Participants can upload unlimited entries to Wikimedia Commons between 15 June and 15 July 2026 for a chance to win prizes from a planned prize fund of 290,000 tenge while contributing freely licensed educational media to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.

What Is the Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026?

The Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 is part of the global Wiki Loves Earth initiative, which encourages contributors to document protected natural heritage sites through high-quality photographs and videos.

The competition helps expand Wikimedia Commons by collecting freely licensed media that can be used to improve Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects while promoting awareness of Kazakhstan’s natural landscapes, biodiversity, and protected areas.

Competition Objectives

The competition aims to:

• Document Kazakhstan’s protected natural heritage sites.
• Increase freely licensed educational media on Wikimedia Commons.
• Support Wikipedia with high-quality photographs and videos.
• Promote environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation.
• Encourage public participation in nature photography and videography.
• Preserve visual records of natural landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems.

Funding Information

The competition offers:

• Planned total prize fund: 290,000 tenge.

Who Is Eligible?

The competition is open to everyone.

Participants must:

• Have a Wikimedia Commons account or a Wikimedia global account.
• Activate an email address in their Wikimedia account preferences.
• Agree to publish all submitted media under a free license.
• Provide valid contact information to receive prizes and qualify for the international competition.

Eligible Media

The competition accepts:

• Photographs.
• Videos.

Media may be created at any time but must be uploaded during the official submission period.

Participants may submit an unlimited number of entries, provided all media are their own original work.

Media Requirements

All submitted media must:

• Be created by the participant.
• Be uploaded between 15 June and 15 July 2026.
• Depict one of the protected natural heritage sites in Kazakhstan listed in the official competition list.
• Include a description of the protected area shown.
• Include the appropriate Wikimedia Commons license.
• Focus on nature, including landscapes, plants, animals, or natural ecosystems.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images or videos are not permitted.

However, AI-assisted editing tools, such as image noise reduction, are allowed.

Photo Requirements

Photographs should:

• Include geographic coordinates.
• Have a minimum resolution of 2 megapixels.
• Be well exposed with good contrast, white balance, and image quality.
• Be suitable for illustrating Wikipedia articles.
• Be free from watermarks, embedded dates, or other visual additions.

Low-quality or low-resolution photographs may be uploaded but are unlikely to be selected as winning entries.

Video Requirements

Videos should:

• Have a minimum resolution of 720p.
• Be stable and free from major visual artifacts.
• Include original audio or audio published under a compatible free license with proper attribution.
• Be converted into Wikimedia Commons-supported formats.
• Be categorized appropriately when uploaded to Wikimedia Commons.

Who Can Participate?

The competition welcomes:

• Amateur photographers.
• Professional photographers.
• Nature enthusiasts.
• Wildlife photographers.
• Videographers.
• Wikimedia contributors.
• First-time participants.

Why This Competition Matters

The competition supports global open knowledge by creating a freely accessible visual archive of Kazakhstan’s natural heritage.

It helps:

• Improve Wikipedia articles.
• Preserve images of protected natural sites.
• Promote biodiversity conservation.
• Increase environmental awareness.
• Encourage citizen participation in documenting nature.
• Support educational resources used worldwide.

How to Participate

Follow these steps to enter the competition:

1. Create or log in to your Wikimedia Commons account.
2. Activate your email address within your account settings.
3. Visit eligible protected natural heritage sites in Kazakhstan.
4. Capture original photographs or videos.
5. Ensure photographs meet the minimum 2-megapixel requirement or videos meet the 720p minimum quality standard.
6. Add accurate descriptions, coordinates, and protected area information.
7. Upload your entries to Wikimedia Commons between 15 June and 15 July 2026.
8. Confirm that each submission includes the correct free license and required category.
9. Submit as many eligible entries as you wish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common submission errors:

• Uploading AI-generated images or videos.
• Submitting media created by someone else.
• Forgetting to activate your Wikimedia account email.
• Omitting descriptions or protected area information.
• Uploading media without the required license.
• Adding watermarks or embedded dates to photographs.
• Uploading low-resolution or poor-quality media.
• Submitting photographs unrelated to Kazakhstan’s protected natural heritage.

Tips for a Strong Submission

To improve your chances of success:

• Capture sharp, high-resolution images.
• Use natural lighting whenever possible.
• Include accurate geographic coordinates.
• Photograph unique landscapes, wildlife, or plant species.
• Write detailed descriptions for each submission.
• Ensure videos are stable and properly edited.
• Select images that have strong educational value for Wikipedia.
• Verify that every submission meets all technical and licensing requirements.

Key Definitions

Wikimedia Commons

A free online repository where users upload images, videos, audio, and other educational media that can be used across Wikipedia and related Wikimedia projects.

Protected Natural Heritage Site

A legally recognized natural area or monument preserved because of its ecological, environmental, geological, or cultural significance.

Free License

A copyright license that allows media to be freely shared, reused, and adapted under specified conditions.

Geographic Coordinates

Latitude and longitude information that identifies the precise location where a photograph was taken.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026?

It is an international photography and videography competition that encourages participants to document Kazakhstan’s protected natural heritage and contribute freely licensed media to Wikimedia Commons.

Who can participate?

Anyone with a Wikimedia Commons account and an activated email address may participate.

What types of media are accepted?

The competition accepts original photographs and videos of Kazakhstan’s protected natural heritage sites.

When can media be uploaded?

Entries must be uploaded between 15 June and 15 July 2026.

Are AI-generated images allowed?

No. AI-generated media are not accepted. However, AI-assisted editing tools, such as noise reduction, may be used.

What technical requirements apply to photographs?

Photographs should have a minimum resolution of 2 megapixels, include geographic coordinates, be free of watermarks, and maintain good technical quality.

Why is this competition important?

The competition helps preserve Kazakhstan’s natural heritage through freely licensed educational media, supports Wikipedia with high-quality visual content, and promotes biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness worldwide.

Conclusion

The Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 offers photographers and videographers an opportunity to document Kazakhstan’s protected natural heritage while contributing valuable educational resources to Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia. By submitting high-quality, original, and accurately documented media, participants can compete for prizes, support global open knowledge, and help preserve the country’s natural landscapes, wildlife, and biodiversity for future generations.

For more information, visit Wikimedia Commons.