Skills in Action Photo Competition 2025 | UNESCO UNEVOC

Skills in Action Photo Competition 2025 is now open for entries, inviting both amateur and professional photographers from around the world to submit their best work. This global contest offers a unique opportunity to showcase your creative vision while highlighting powerful visual stories that reflect how young people are being equipped with the skills they need to shape the future in an increasingly digital and AI driven world. The competition is part of UNESCO UNEVOC’s broader effort to celebrate how Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) empowers youth through cutting-edge learning and skill development, particularly in areas influenced by artificial intelligence and digital innovation. UNESCO-UNEVOC

For 2025, the official theme is “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills” encouraging photographers to capture compelling moments that illustrate how young people engage with AI-powered tools, digital simulations, coding environments, virtual/augmented reality, or other digital technologies in TVET settings. Beyond this core focus, submissions can also highlight related aspects of digital empowerment such as equity in technology where girls, youth with disabilities, or marginalized communities are thriving within digital or AI-enhanced TVET environments; digital solutions for a green future where tech-driven skills support sustainable practices; and digital skills for peace, showing how youth use digital tools and AI to promote peacebuilding, resilience, and community well-being.

Participation in the Skills in Action competition is free and open to photographers aged 18 and above, provided you own the copyright to the images you submit. There is no restriction on professional status, meaning that photographers at all stages of their creative journey are welcome to enter, as long as submissions adhere to the competition’s theme and technical requirements.

scholarship summary

Who Can Apply?

Skills in Action competition is open to all photographers aged 18 years and above who:

• Are the owner or copyright holder of the submitted photos.
• Can provide consent from any individuals featured in the photos.
• Also check: Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship 

Prizes What Can You Win?

Skills in Action Photo Competition 2025 offers cash prizes and global recognition:

• 1st Prize: USD 750
• 2nd Prize: USD 500
• 3rd Prize: USD 350

Photo Requirements

• Minimum 3,000 pixels on the longest side at 300 DPI/PPI.
• JPEG format (RAW/TIFF files encouraged).
• Must include title and short description (max. 75 words).
• No AI-generated images, collages, watermarks, or logos.
• Also check: Cullman Center Fellowship 2026

Photo Theme: Youth Empowerment through AI & Digital Skills

Entries must capture one or more of the following areas:

1. AI and Digital Skills in TVET: Show how youth are using AI tools, coding, VR/AR, or digital simulations.
2. Equity in Tech: Highlight girls, youth with disabilities, or marginalized communities thriving in digital learning.
3. Digital Solutions for a Green Future: Showcase youth developing green, tech-driven skills for sustainability.
4. Digital Skills for Peace: Capture moments where young people use digital tools to foster peace, resilience, and community well-being.
5. Also check: Fully Funded Software Engineering Internship in Tokyo, Japan

How to Submit Your Entry

Follow these steps to enter the Skills in Action competition:

1. Capture your photo(s) in line with the theme.
2. Rename your photo: Lastname-Firstname_Title.jpeg
3. Write a short description for each photo.
4. Download and complete the official submission form.
5. Send your photo(s) + submission form to: unevoc.skills@unesco.org
   • Subject line: Lastname_SAPhotoCompetition2025
   • If files are too large, upload via a file-sharing service (e.g., WeTransfer) and share the link.

Selection Criteria

Entries will be judged on:

• Adherence to theme
• Creativity and originality
• Technical quality and uniqueness
• Innovation in delivering the message