Youth Biodiversity Art Challenge

United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), in partnership with UNESCO, is calling for submissions from young eco-artists for their RCE* Youth Biodiversity Art Challenge.

The worldwide challenge is open to anyone aged 35 or younger, and submissions should consist of creative works of art with a focus on SDG 14 (life below water) or SDG 15 (life on land).

The organisers are looking for creative works that put a spotlight on environmental issues and the species, habitats and ecosystems that need to be protected.

Youth Biodiversity Art Challenge categories

Is your favourite animal or plant species under threat?

Show one of your favourite animal or plant species which is currently under threat
Explain how this species can be protected and restored—what actions can people take today in their communities?

How can we protect the habitats and ecosystems within our regions?

Show one of your favourite places which is being impacted by biodiversity loss
Explain why it needs to be protected—what actions communities can take to conserve this place?

Entry requirements

Participants must be aged 35 or younger
Participants must be individuals
Entries are limited to three entries per participant
The artwork must not have previously been submitted for another contest
The artwork must be the participant’s original work
Entries can utilise any art medium—photos, drawings, paintings, sketches, murals, the list is endless—however all submissions must be static (no animations) and limited to one frame/image of the artwork
Submissions must include a short statement to explain how it answers the questions

Application guidelines

Deadline: 30 September 2022

* RCEs are Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development