DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 9th February 2026

JUDGING PERIOD: 9th – 12th February 2026

Winners Announcement: 13th February 2026 

Overview

In celebration of World Wetlands Day 2026, EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN) and, the Wise Use of Caribbean Wetlands invite youth and the wider public to participate in a national art, writing, and photography competition. This initiative highlights the importance of wetlands and mangroves in Antigua and Barbuda while inspiring creativity, environmental stewardship, and community pride.

Objective

The competition seeks to engage participants in exploring the ecological, cultural, and community value of wetlands. Through creative expression, entrants will showcase their understanding of wetland conservation, climate resilience, and the role these ecosystems play in sustaining life and protecting our coasts.

Eligibility

• Open primarily to youth ages 5–35, while welcoming participation from the general public in a supportive role (e.g., attending exhibitions, sharing entries, encouraging youth).
• Participants must be residents of Antigua and Barbuda.

Age Categories

To ensure fairness and encourage creativity across different stages of development, entries will be judged within the following age groups:

Ages 5–8: Early Creators  

Best for: simple storytelling, drawing/painting, basic photo concepts

• Focus: imagination, participation, expression

Ages 9–12: Junior Creators  

Best for: short stories, poems, more detailed artwork, guided photography

• Focus: observation, creativity, basic technique

Ages 13–17: Youth Creators  

Best for: essays, strong visual narratives, mobile photography

• Focus: voice,  storytelling, emerging skill

Ages 18–24: Young Creatives  

Best for: advanced writing, conceptual art, photography series

• Focus: message, technique, interpretation of wetlands themes

Ages 25–35: Emerging Professionals  

Best for: polished work, advocacy-driven pieces, mixed media

• Focus: impact, originality, craftsmanship

Submission Guidelines

Originality

• All submissions must be original and created specifically for this competition.
• Plagiarized, copied, or previously published work will not be accepted.
• One submission per participant per category. Participants may enter only one category (Art, Writing, or Photography).

Mediums

• Art: Hand‑drawn or hand‑painted pieces. Digital art accepted in JPEG or PNG format.

• Writing: Essays, short stories, poems, or reflective pieces.
  • Length Requirement: max 500 words
  • Format: Submit as a PDF or Word document. 

• Photography: Original photographs highlighting wetlands, coasts, wildlife, people, culture or environmental themes.
  • Accepted formats: JPEG or PNG.

Labelling

• All entries must include the creator’s name or signature and be titled “World Wetlands Day Creative Expression Competition”. 

Themes & Topics

Participants may choose from the following suggested themes to inspire their submissions:

• How Wetlands Protect My Community: exploring how mangroves and wetlands safeguard homes, schools, and coastlines from storms, flooding, and erosion.
• Codrington Lagoon: Our National Treasure: highlighting the importance of the RAMSAR site in Barbuda and what its protection means for the country.
• If Wetlands Could Speak: imagining what a wetland might say about its history, its struggles, and why it wants to survive.
• A Day in the Life of a Wetland Creature: focusing on species such as herons, crabs, fish, pelicans, turtles, or migratory birds that depend on wetlands.
• The Wetland of the Future: My Vision for 2050: envisioning how a healthy, restored wetland could look in the future, or what could happen if we don’t act now.
• Wetlands and Our Health: showing how wetlands contribute to clean water, clean air, and physical and mental wellbeing.
• Guardians of the Coast: The Role of Mangroves in Antigua & Barbuda: sharing insights on the different types of mangroves and why each one matters.
• Wetlands and Climate Change: Our First Line of Defense: explaining how wetlands help reduce greenhouse gases and protect communities from rising seas.
• My Family and the Wetlands: sharing personal experiences or family stories connected to fishing, bird‑watching, recreation, cultural traditions, or conservation.
• Heroes of Wetland Conservation: celebrating community groups, local conservationists, or young people protecting wetlands.
• Photography Focus: capturing wetlands, coasts, wildlife, or environmental scenes that reflect resilience, biodiversity, and human connections to nature.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated on:

• Creativity and originality
• Relevance to the theme
• Clarity of message or expression
• Artistic or literary impact
• Presentation and suitability for public display/publication
• Age-appropriate expectations ensuring younger participants are recognized for imagination and effort, while older participants are assessed on technique, impact, and originality.

Recognition

• Three winners per category from Antigua and three winners per category from Barbuda (six winners total per category).

• Winners will be selected with consideration for age ranges, ensuring younger participants are judged fairly against peers.
• In addition to the main prizes, special recognitions across all ages may be awarded, such as:
  • Best Wetlands Message
  • People’s Choice Award (via community voting)
  • Best Local Ecosystem Story

• Winning and shortlisted entries will be featured in Endeavour Publication and highlighted across partner projects and platforms, giving participants national visibility for their creativity and environmental leadership.
• Selected artwork and photography may also be showcased in local gallery exhibitions.
• Winners will be invited to participate in media interviews to share their experiences and insights.

Prizes

Prizes	Description
E‑Gift Cards	Quick digital prizes for winners, offering flexibility and ease of use.
Stationery & Art Supplies	Sketchbooks, paints, brushes, canvases, pencils, and other creative tools to encourage continued artistic practice.
Adobe Creative Cloud Access	Short‑term access to professional creative software such as Photoshop and Illustrator, empowering winners to expand their digital art and design skills.
Special Prize Option	A larger item, such as a sketch tablet for one top winner, supporting long‑term artistic development.
Ecological Trip to Barbuda with ESFN and Wise Use of Caribbean Wetlands	An exclusive opportunity for selected winners to experience Barbuda’s unique wetlands and the Codrington Lagoon RAMSAR site and Frigate Bird Sanctuary firsthand with ESFN and Wise Use of Caribbean Wetlands. This trip will highlight the island’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, offering inspiration for future creative work.