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LAUNCHING THE YOUNG CREATIVES CHALLENGE 2026: WHERE CREATIVITY SPARKS CLIMATE ACTION


Published by Eden Foundation | March 2026

We are thrilled to officially announce the launch of the Young Creatives Challenge 2026 — a first-of-its-kind creative competition for secondary school students in Central Equatoria State, designed to harness the power of youth creativity in the fight against climate change.


Organised by the Eden Foundation in partnership with The Achol Philip Foundation, this pilot project invites Forms 1–4 students to express their perspectives, fears, hopes, and ideas about climate change through the art of writing and visual storytelling. This is not just a competition — it is a movement. A movement that believes the next generation of climate advocates is already sitting in classrooms across Central Equatoria, waiting for a platform.


Why This Competition?

South Sudan is one of the countries most affected by climate change despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions. Communities across the country — from the flood-ravaged states of Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile, to the drought-stricken regions of the south — are living the consequences of a crisis they did not create. Yet the voices of young South Sudanese people are rarely heard in global climate conversations.

The Young Creatives Challenge 2026 exists to change that. By giving students the tools and the platform to tell their own stories, we are not only raising awareness — we are building the next generation of climate leaders, advocates, and thinkers.


Who Can Participate?

The competition is open to SNR Secondary (Forms 1–4) students currently enrolled in the 2026 academic term/year at schools within Central Equatoria State that are registered with the Ministry of General Education and Instructions.

Each student must choose and submit ONE category only:


The Two Categories

✍️ Category 1 — Creative Writing (Poems & Essays)

Students may submit either a poem or an essay on one of our five carefully crafted climate topics, including powerful themes such as "Drowning in Plain Sight" — exploring the devastating floods of Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile — and "Trees Are Our Ancestors" — examining how deforestation threatens both the environment and South Sudanese cultural heritage.

  • Essays: 500–1,000 words

  • Poems: Maximum 1,000 words

  • English only

  • One entry per student


🎨 Category 2 — Comic & Graphic Storytelling (Comic Books & Illustrated Stories)

Students may submit a comic strip, comic book, or illustrated story that carries a clear climate message. With themes ranging from "The Forest Keeper" to "Underwater Dreams" — a story set in flood-prone Upper Nile State — students are invited to bring climate stories to life through art and narrative.

  • Maximum 12 pages

  • A4 size, hand-drawn or digital

  • English only

  • One entry per student


The Prizes

We want to reward the exceptional talent and effort of our young creatives:

🥇 1st Place — Laptop + Back to School Stationery Pack + Eden Foundation Goody Bag 🥈 2nd Place — Tablet + Back to School Stationery Pack + Eden Foundation Goody Bag 🥉 3rd Place — 250,000 SSP Cash Prize + Back to School Stationery Pack + Eden Foundation Goody Bag 🏅 All participants receive a Certificate of Participation and the opportunity to have their work featured in Eden Foundation climate advocacy campaigns.


How to Submit

Physical Submission: Schools must appoint a focal point teacher to collect, verify, and deliver all entries to the Eden Foundation Office before 14th April 2026. The focal point teacher's signature on each entry confirms the student is currently enrolled in the 2026 academic term/year.


Digital Submission: Entries can also be emailed directly to youngcreativeschallenge.ss@gmail.com as PDF or JPEG files, with all required student information clearly visible.

Every submission must include the student's full name, school name, class, focal point teacher's name and signature, and chosen category. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.


A Message to Schools

We call on headteachers, teachers, and school coordinators across Central Equatoria State to take an active role in making this competition a success. Identify your talented students early, explain the rules clearly, help them prepare their entries, and submit on time. This is a rare opportunity for your students to be recognised, rewarded, and heard on a platform that celebrates their voices.


A Pilot Project With a Big Vision

The Young Creatives Challenge 2026 is proudly launched as a pilot project in Central Equatoria State — but this is only the beginning. Eden Foundation's vision is to bring this competition to all states of South Sudan, giving every young creative across the country the chance to spark climate action through their art.

Together, let's build a generation that doesn't just witness climate change — but responds to it with courage, creativity, and conviction.


🗓️ Submission Deadline: 14th April 2026


 
 
 

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