The 2nd Youth Networking Forum Took Place

On August 31, 2025, the opening ceremony of the “2nd Youth Networking Forum for Youth in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals” was held at the “INNOLAND” Incubation and Acceleration Center. The event began with the State Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, followed by a one-minute silence in memory of our martyrs.

The purpose of the forum was to promote networking among youth and knowledge exchange on innovation and the Sustainable Development Goals. Within the framework of the forum, opening speeches, panel discussions, and team-building games were organized. Participants, representatives of government bodies, and innovation centers came together to discuss new opportunities for collaboration.

During the opening panel, the project manager Nigar Isgandarova spoke about the essence of the event and the panel discussions awaiting guests. Speeches were also delivered by Rustam Hasanov, Adviser to the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources; Seyfur Hacimuradov, representative of the Youth Foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Vurgun Hajiyev, Adviser to the Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency; Nigar Khidirova from the Agrarian Innovation Center; Nicat Amiraslanov, Director of the “INNOLAND” Incubation and Acceleration Center; and Etibar Khidirov, Head of the Supportive Community Center and expert of the “SDG Youth Community” initiative group.

The forum began with the first panel on “Digital Development Agenda: SDGs in the Era of Innovation,” moderated by PhD candidate Mirlazim Dadashov from Bahçeşehir University. Panelists Samir Qadirov, Community Head at SABAH.HUB Innovation Center; Nurlan Ahmadov, lecturer at Baku State University; Tural Rahimov, Digital Media Planner at Universal McCann Azerbaijan; and Vurgun Hajiyev, Adviser to the Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, discussed the impact of digital development on SDGs.

The second panel, titled “Digital Development and New Approaches in Management,” was moderated by business development expert Rashid Bayramli. Panelists included ERP systems expert Aytan Vahidova, transport expert Rauf Agamirzayev, Head of Department at the Social Research Center Seymur Aliyev, and IT management expert Serkhan Talibzade, who presented modern approaches applied in digital management.

Following the panels, a team-building game was organized, moderated by Hunar Alkhanov, member and Communications Manager of the National Board of ESN Azerbaijan. Participants also discussed collaboration opportunities with various organizations during networking breaks.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony and commemorative photographs.

A presentation of the “Taskool” platform, a resident startup of INNOLAND, was held at Odlar Yurdu University.

During the meeting dedicated to innovative educational initiatives, new opportunities for school–university collaboration and the engagement of young people in innovative projects were discussed.

Along with the university leadership, the head of the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, Nijat Amiraslanov, also attended the event and emphasized the importance of university–startup cooperation in the development of the innovation ecosystem.

Within the framework of the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for future cooperation, and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Odlar Yurdu University and the “Taskool” platform to develop their collaboration.

The “Taskool” platform enables students to build an academic portfolio through STEAM projects, olympiads, professional courses, and mentorship programs. This approach allows young people to be evaluated not only by test results but also by their skills and activities.

🚀 As INNOLAND, we continue to contribute to the development of innovative ideas and the startup ecosystem.

The delegation of INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center attended the "NGO Digitalization" event in Hungary.

Director of INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center Mammad Karimov spoke at the event.

The delegation also had meetings with the representers of the startup ecosystem in the events held in Budapest, Brussels, and Berlin.