UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition 2025: Capture Youth Empowerment in AI & Digital Skills. Are you an amateur or professional photographer with an interest in youth skills? Don’t miss your chance to enter the UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition!
Eligibility
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You are the owner or copyright holder of the photo entry/entries.
- What should my photo show?
- Photos should highlight innovative aspects of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
We want you to capture interesting moments showcasing how TVET is equipping young people with skills for the future. This year’s competition theme is Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills and submissions should focus on one or more of the following:
- AI and digital skills in TVET – Capture how young people are engaging with AI-powered tools, digital simulations, coding or virtual/augmented reality in TVET institutions
- Equity in tech – Showcase moments where girls, youth with disabilities or marginalized communities are accessing and thriving in digital or AI-enhanced TVET environments
- Digital solutions for a green future – Highlight how TVET is equipping youth with tech-driven green skills for resilient futures
- Digital skills for peace – Highlight youth using AI or digital technologies through TVET to promote peacebuilding, resilience or community well-being.
Do’s and Dont’s
Do’s
- Decide your thematic area(s) of focus. This will ensure that your entry will not be filtered out for not adhering to the themes.
- Use a camera that can output high-resolution photos with a minimum of 3000 pixels on the longest side with 300 DPI/PPI setting. Exempted from this are photos taken using mobile phones in the highest resolution (the acceptance of the entry is based on the quality).
- Ensure that you have the approval/consent of the people in the picture, especially if the focus is on a single person. You are encouraged to use this consent form. UNESCO will not be deemed responsible for the failure of the photographer to acquire the consent of his/her model.
- You can make simple edits to the photo but these need to be specified in the form.
Also Read: Chevening UK Government Scholarships 2026 : Fully-Funded Master’s Degree In the UK
Dont’s
- Don’t submit photos generated by AI.
- Don’t submit an entry of a photo collage (multiple photos on one frame)
- Don’t put watermarks, logos, signatures or any overlays on your picture
- Don’t send pictures that are not related to any of the thematic areas.
When is the submission deadline?
The submission deadline is 15 September 2025. All photos must be accompanied by the completed submission form and sent to: unevoc.skills(at)unesco.org.
Incomplete submissions and submissions received after the deadline cannot be admitted to the competition.
Also Read: AFDP Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) 2025/2026 for Young Africans (Fully funded)
Benefits
The winners of the Skills in Action Photo Competition will receive the following prizes:
- 1st prize – 750 USD
- 2nd prize – 500 USD
- 3rd prize – 350 USD
Winning photographers and finalists will receive a certificate, and their entries will be featured on the UNESCO-UNEVOC website and across various social media platforms. All submissions received will become the property of UNESCO-UNEVOC and will be eligible for use in future UNESCO-UNEVOC media campaigns, publications and promotional material.
Submission process
Photo entries:
- All entries should be submitted with a title, a brief paragraph (not more than 75 words) explaining the context of the photo, along with where and when it was taken.
- All photos submitted should be in jpeg format. It will be an advantage to submit Raw/Tiff files. The longer side should be at least 3,000 pixels. The entrants are allowed to digitally manipulate entries slightly and state the nature of manipulation. Please do not include any marks, logos, watermarks, or borders in your photos.
- Your photos should be related to the themes mentioned above.
How to submit
After taking your photo/s:
1. Add a title and write a short description for every photo.
2. Rename the photo/s in this format: Lastname-Firstname_title.jpeg (example: Oyelowo-Eyitayo_Female-aircraft-engineers.jpeg/.tiff)
3. Make sure you agree with the Terms and Conditions. (Also found in the submission form)
4. Download and complete the submission form and rename the form in this format: Lastname-Firstname_SAPC20_SF.docx
5. Send the completed form (with thumbnails of the pictures) along with the original photo files to unevoc.skills(at)unesco.org with the following email subject heading Last name_SAPhotoCompetition2025. Note that the attachment size may have a limit. In case of multiple entries that cannot be sent via email, you can use any cloud storage servers you prefer and provide us with the direct link (no sign-up required) to download. WeTransfer is an example of an online file sharing service.
Selection process
1. Upon submission, UNESCO-UNEVOC will filter entries in compliance with the basic terms and conditions. You will not receive an acknowledgement of submission, but all entries will be processed.
2. The selection process will be based on the following criteria:
- Adherence to the theme
- Uniqueness of the concept/shot
- Creativity
- Innovative means of delivering the message
3. Photographers will be informed via email that their entries have been shortlisted.
4. We will announce the winners on our website and social media platforms or through a major event we are hosting.
The Photo Library will be regarded as an Open Access Repository, which may be accessed by anyone under Creative Commons 4.0 IGO License.
