Deadline: March 21, 2026
The UNESCO Regional Youth Contest for Human Rights in Eastern Africa 2026 is a regional creative competition designed to empower young people to express how human rights shape everyday life across Eastern Africa. Organised as part of UNESCO’s Human Rights Education and awareness efforts, this contest provides a platform for youth voices, creativity, and advocacy around essential human rights issues.
The UNESCO Regional Youth Contest for Human Rights in Eastern Africa 2026 invites eligible young people to submit original creative works that highlight the importance of human rights in daily experiences, communities, and societies.
Opportunity Overview
The contest is organised under the theme “Everyday Essentials”, encouraging participants to explore how human rights relate to daily needs, opportunities, and lived realities. Through creative expression, participants are expected to demonstrate how fundamental rights influence dignity, equality, and sustainable development in Eastern Africa.
Submissions should be innovative, context-relevant, and respectful of ethical standards, including responsible and transparent use of digital tools and artificial intelligence where applicable.
Contest Theme: “Everyday Essentials”
Participants are invited to creatively interpret the concept of Everyday Essentials by focusing on how human rights affect everyday life. Submissions should align with UNESCO’s Human Rights Education core areas, including:
- Freedom of expression, access to information, and privacy
- Scientific progress and innovation
- Cultural participation and cultural rights
- Access to clean water and sanitation
Creative works should promote awareness, reflection, and positive action around these themes within local and regional contexts.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application
- Be a national of an Eastern African country covered by UNESCO’s Regional Office for Eastern Africa
Eligible countries include:
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Categories of Submission
Participants may submit work in any of the following creative categories:
- Essays or Poems
- Videos or Animations
- Other Creative Art Forms (including visual or multimedia works)
All submissions must be original, unpublished, and created specifically for this contest.
Submission Guidelines
Applicants are expected to carefully follow all submission requirements:
Written Submissions (Essays or Poems)
- Must be submitted in PDF or Word format
- Font: Arial, size 12
- Line spacing: 1.5
- Word count: 1,500–2,500 words (for essays)
Creative and Multimedia Submissions
- Videos and animations should be clear, high-quality, and accessible
- Submissions in Swahili must include English captions or subtitles
- Any use of artificial intelligence must be clearly disclosed
- Fully AI-generated essays or poems may be excluded from consideration
Plagiarism or previously published work will result in disqualification.
Deadline
All submissions must be completed and submitted no later than 21 March 2026 at 23:59 (EAT).
This date coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and World Poetry Day, reinforcing the contest’s focus on equality and human dignity.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Awards and Benefits
Winners
Top submissions in each category will receive:
- A fully funded round-trip to attend a UNESCO or partner conference in 2026 or 2027
- Accommodation and travel costs covered
- An official UNESCO Certificate
- Opportunity to present their work at an international or regional event
- Publication of their work on UNESCO platforms
Runners-Up
- Second Prize: USD 1,000
- Third Prize: USD 500
- UNESCO Certificate of participation
- Opportunity to contribute to an online UNESCO-related event
- Online publication of selected works
Additional Recognition
Submissions ranked 4th to 30th will also receive certificates and have their work featured online.
Why You Should Apply
The UNESCO Regional Youth Contest for Human Rights in Eastern Africa 2026 is more than a competition. It is an opportunity to:
- Amplify youth voices on critical human rights issues
- Gain regional and international recognition
- Engage with UNESCO’s global human rights and education community
- Showcase creativity while influencing positive social change
Need Support With Your Application?
If you require proposal drafting, refining, or professional review to strengthen your submission, contact us for tailored support to help you submit a compelling and competitive entry.
