Call For Applications: UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition 2026 Offers Up to $750 for Showcasing the Power of TVET

Application timeline

for submissions is 31 August 2026 . ( UNEVOC ) What Is the UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition?

The annual competition is organised by the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. This year’s competition focuses on the role of TVET in supporting innovation, inclusion, sustainability and youth employment .

Participants are encouraged to capture authentic moments showing how young people are gaining practical skills and preparing for changing economies and labour markets. For photographers across Africa, this creates an opportunity to spotlight stories that are often overlooked: young people learning technical trades, women entering traditionally male-dominated industries, students developing digital skills and communities adopting more sustainable technologies.

Who Can Participate? The competition is open to: Amateur photographers Professional photographers Participants aged 18 or older Individuals who own the copyright to the photographs they submit Participants can submit up to one entry per category , with a maximum of four submissions in total.

( UNEVOC ) Competition Categories Applicants can submit photographs in one or more of four categories: 1. Equity and Inclusion This category focuses on how skills development can become more accessible to people regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic background or disability.

A strong entry could capture a person or group gaining access to technical training and opportunities that help challenge barriers to participation. 2.

Green Skills and Sustainability This category highlights skills, technologies and practices that contribute to a more sustainable future. Photographers can showcase green jobs, resource-efficient technologies and practical solutions that connect skills development with environmental sustainability.

3. Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence This category focuses on young people using digital tools and emerging technologies.

Potential subjects include coding, robotics, virtual reality and AI-powered tools used in learning and technical training. This category may be particularly relevant for photographers documenting how digital transformation is changing the way young people learn and work.

4. Innovation and Excellence This category celebrates innovative training and skills that improve quality, productivity and efficiency.

The focus is on capturing people, ideas and learning environments that demonstrate how practical skills can drive progress. What Can Winners Receive?

The top three winners will receive cash prizes: First prize: USD 750 Second prize: USD 500 Third prize: USD 350 Winners will also receive an official certificate, while their photographs may be published on the UNESCO-UNEVOC Flickr account and promoted through UNESCO-UNEVOC’s social media channels. ( UNEVOC ) Why This Opportunity Matters for African Photographers Photography competitions often reward technical ability, but this opportunity also rewards the ability to tell a meaningful story.

For photographers in Nigeria and across Africa, the competition offers a chance to draw international attention to the continent’s skills ecosystem. A well-composed photograph can show the reality behind youth unemployment, the growth of digital skills, the importance of vocational education and the increasing role of women in technical professions.

The opportunity is also relevant to photographers who work with educational institutions, development organisations, youth programmes, NGOs and businesses involved in skills development. The key is not simply to submit a technically attractive photograph.

The strongest entries are likely to be those that communicate a clear story about how skills are creating opportunity, solving problems or preparing people for the future. Important Copyright Notice for Applicants Applicants should carefully review the competition’s terms before submitting their work.

UNESCO-UNEVOC states that submitted photographs become its property and may be used in future publications, media campaigns and promotional materials. Photographers should therefore understand the rights and usage terms before entering.

( UNEVOC )