Call for Applications: Youth Innovation Contest

UNESCO Youth Innovation Contest 2024 inviting children and young people to submit creative works on sustainable development. Categories include marine conservation, land ecosystems, sustainable cities, and climate action. Open to global participants with awards for innovation and eco-protection."

Are you passionate about protecting our planet? Do you have creative ideas that could help tackle global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, or sustainable living? Then this is your chance to shine! The International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA) together with UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) is inviting children and young people to take part in the 2024 Youth Innovation Contest.

Overview

The contest’s theme centers around sustainable development—protecting and improving our world for future generations. Participants can explore important global issues like marine conservation, land ecosystems, climate action, and building sustainable cities. Submissions can be in any format, including paintings, stories, poems, or research essays, that reflect their vision of a more sustainable planet.

Themes & Topics

This event focuses on four Sustainable Development Goals:

Theme I: Protection of Marine Ecosystems (SDG14 - Life Below Water)

Topics include but are not limited to: marine biodiversity, marine pollution, the impact of climate change on the oceans, and innovative technologies for marine science.

Theme II: Conservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems (SDG15 - Life on Land)

Topics include but are not limited to: wildlife and forest conservation, fighting land degradation, and ecotourism.

Theme III: Building Sustainable Human Settlements (SDG11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Topics include but are not limited to: infrastructure development, resource optimization, strategies for reducing socio-economic disparities, and environmentally sustainable living environments.

Theme IV: Responding to Global Climate Change (SDG13 - Climate Action)

Topics include but are not limited to: reducing the greenhouse effect, managing extreme weather, and implementing climate change initiatives.

Prize Information

The contest offers awards in the following categories:

Grand Award

Award for Future Leaders in Green Innovations (Maximum 20 winners): Given to works with high-ranking scores, excellent innovation, and overall quality.

Special Awards

Award for Eco-protection (Maximum 20 winners): Given to works with outstanding performance in eco-environment protection.
Award for Sci-Tech Innovation (Maximum 20 winners): Given to works showcasing high levels of creativity and novelty.
Award for Remarkable Presence (Maximum 20 winners): Given to works that excel in content, logic, presentation, and speech delivery.

Merit Awards

Award for Talents of Sci-Tech Innovation (Unlimited winners): Given to works that meet campaign requirements and demonstrate scientific strength.
Award for Pioneers of Environmental Protection (Unlimited winners): Given to works focused on environmental issues and biodiversity.
Award for Humanistic Care (Unlimited winners): Given to works focusing on human needs, social justice, and vulnerable groups.

Eligibility Criteria

This event is open to children and youth worldwide. Participants can submit works individually or in teams of two or three. The contest is divided into two age groups:

Children's Group: 5-10 years old
Youth Group: 11-17 years old

Participants can choose any format, including but not limited to paintings, storytelling, poetry, and research essays.

For More Information

Visit the UNESCO Youth Innovation Contest page for more details.

Donor Name: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Grant Size: Not Available
Publish Date: September 9, 2024
Deadline Date: September 30, 2024

Countries Eligible: Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan