Climathon 2025: Funded Projects to Fight Climate Change in Mexico

Mexico — Climathon 2025, an initiative organized by Impact Hub, Climate-KIC, and the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), has launched a call for projects aimed at addressing climate change. The program will take place in seven Mexican cities, with two winning projects selected from each location to receive seed funding and join a network of climate entrepreneurs.

Focus on Local Solutions for Global Challenges

The initiative seeks proposals that contribute to a net-zero carbon society or strengthen local ecosystems. It is part of the broader Catal 1.5t effort, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Felix Steinberg, project director of Catal 1.5t, emphasized the urgency of the initiative: "We are living in a world that is warming every day, and we still lack solutions across sectors like agriculture, energy, mobility, and industry."

Participating Cities and Their Challenges

The seven host cities and their respective focus areas are:

• Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico: Circular economy and industrial decarbonization.
• Guanajuato, Guanajuato: Emissions reduction and water stress.
• Campeche, Campeche: Sustainable mangrove ecosystem management and water sanitation ecotechnologies.
• Mérida, Yucatán: Protection of groundwater and cenotes, along with sustainable waste management.
• Hermosillo, Sonora: Sustainable energy.
• Saltillo, Coahuila: Sustainable energy, decarbonization, water stress, and urban heat.
• Monterrey, Nuevo León: Sustainable energy.

Prizes and Selection Criteria

Two winners will be chosen per city. The first-place project will receive 10,000 pesos in seed capital, while the second-place project will be awarded 5,000 pesos. Participants must demonstrate a genuine interest in environmental conservation, propose innovative solutions, and align their projects with their city’s specific challenges.

Mario Romero, director of Impact Hub, highlighted the urban focus of the initiative: "The development of solutions to climate change challenges begins in cities, where many environmental impacts are concentrated."

Eligibility and Registration

Participants must be at least 18 years old and reside in one of the host cities. They may register individually or in teams of three to five people. The application period runs from August 5 to October 20, depending on the city. Registration is completed via a form on Impact Hub’s website.

Event Dates by City

• Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico: September 19–20.
• Mérida, Yucatán: October 3–4.
• Guanajuato, Guanajuato: October 3–4.
• Campeche, Campeche: October 10–11.
• Hermosillo, Sonora: October 15–16.
• Saltillo, Coahuila: October 24–25.
• Monterrey, Nuevo León: November 7–8.

To date, approximately 260 participants have contributed ideas through the Climathon program.