Managing Director, Global Landscapes Forum
The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), a multi-stakeholder forum that promotes sustainable landscapes is inviting anyone between the ages of 18 and 35 born in Africa, living in Africa or from the African diaspora to apply for the 2024 African Youth Storytelling Contest.
The contest welcomes stories about how Africa can regenerate its landscapes, protect biodiversity, lead climate action and protect the rights and livelihoods of millions, among others, as organisers believe that storytelling has the power to ignite change, inspire action and connect people across borders. It welcomes stories in a wide variety of formats, including video, audio, visual art, animation or any other creative medium.
Entries should share applicants’ thoughts, hopes and dreams about a future for Africa that values community, collaboration, inclusivity and resilience. In simple words it should address the question: what should a bright future for Africa look like?
Key themes for story entries could include (but are not limited to) food sovereignty, sustainable food systems, biodiverse landscapes, land tenure, ecosystem restoration, gender, climate justice, Indigenous rights, community-led action, youth leadership and sustainable finance.
The contest welcomes a diverse range of storytelling forms that capture at least one of the themes described above and submissions can take various forms, including: visual arts or animation: artwork (paintings, sculptures, drawing, photography, etc.) or animations; video: short films, interviews, documentaries, performance art; audio: and original poetry, music, podcasts, etc. or any other creative medium that showcases applicant’s unique perspective.
Story entries should include the following:
- Applicant’s full name
- Applicant’s city or town and country
- The logo of the applicant’s organization (if applicable)
Applicants should provide an English transcript in the relevant part of the application form for submissions written in a language other than English.
Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Creativity, passion and originality;
- Relevance to the themes described above;
- Vision and pathway for the future of Africa;
- Clarity of expression and communication of ideas;
- Overall impact and effectiveness.
The top 5 to 10 selected entries will be featured on the GLF website and social media channels, as well as at the GLF Africa 2024 Hybrid Conference, reaching thousands of people in person and online. This is in addition to opportunity to showcase their talent and share their story with a global audience, the three best stories will receive prizes of EUR 500, 300 and 200 respectively.
For further information and to apply, please visit https://events.globallandscapesforum.org/africa-2024/youth-storytelling-contest/.
