Never Such Innocence International Competition 2026/27: Apply Now

Application Deadline: February 26, 2027

Applications are now open for the Never Such Innocence International Competition 2026/27, an international creative opportunity inviting young people to share their perspectives on war and conflict through poetry, art and short films.

This year’s theme, “Through My Eyes,” encourages participants to explore how their experiences, heritage, nationality, gender, age, education and proximity to conflict can shape the way they understand the world around them.

For young people across Africa and around the world, the competition offers more than a creative challenge. It provides a platform for young voices to communicate ideas, experiences and reflections across borders while developing creative expression and critical thinking.

About the Never Such Innocence International Competition
The competition is part of Never Such Innocence’s Conversations on Conflict programme. It uses creative work to encourage young people to think about conflict, its human impact and the different perspectives people bring to conversations about war and peace.

For the 2026/27 edition, participants can respond to the theme “Through My Eyes” using poetry, visual art or a short film. The organisers encourage entrants to consider what makes their perspective unique rather than simply reproducing general descriptions of conflict.

Entries are judged anonymously, helping the work itself remain central to the judging process. There is also no requirement to write in English; participants can submit work in other languages, with translations or subtitles encouraged where appropriate.

Benefits of Participating
Participants can gain:

An opportunity to express their ideas on a global platform.
International exposure for their creative work.
Experience developing and presenting original creative work.
The opportunity to contribute to a global conversation among young people.
Potential publication of winning work in a digital booklet.
An NSI prize pack for winners.
Invitations to participate in special opportunities connected with the organisation.
A meaningful addition to a young participant’s creative portfolio.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is designed for young people aged 9–18. Entries are organised into four age categories:

9–11 years
11–14 years
14–16 years
16–18 years
Participants may submit work individually or as part of a group. According to the competition information, entrants can submit one piece in each category: Poetry, Art and Film.

Key requirements include:

The work must be the participant’s own original creation.
AI-generated work is not accepted.
Poetry should not exceed one A4 page using size 12 font.
Artwork can be created using different media, including traditional and digital formats.
Short films must be no longer than three minutes.
Entrants aged 15 and under must have an adult submit the entry on their behalf.
There is no entry fee.
How to Apply and Key Dates
The competition opened on September 28, 2026, and applications close on February 26, 2027. Winners are scheduled to be announced by May 5, 2027.

Applicants should:

Choose Poetry, Art or Short Film.
Develop an original response to “Through My Eyes.”
Check the specific requirements for the selected category.
Prepare the work in the required format.
Submit through the appropriate individual, group or multiple-entry form.
Application: Apply through the official Never Such Innocence International Competition page

Tips for Creating a Strong Entry
A strong submission does not necessarily need to tell the biggest or most dramatic story. The theme asks participants to show their own perspective.

Encourage young entrants to begin by asking: What does conflict look, sound or feel like from where I stand? Their response might explore displacement, family, community, peace, identity, resilience, fear, hope or how conflict is understood through news and education.

For poetry, focus on a clear idea, memorable language and authentic emotion. For artwork, think carefully about symbolism, composition and the story behind the image. For film, keep the narrative focused and make effective use of the three-minute limit.

Most importantly, do not use AI to create the submission. The competition specifically requires original work, so the participant’s own creativity and perspective should remain at the centre.

Teachers, parents and youth organisations can also support participants by creating safe spaces for discussion, helping young people understand the theme and reviewing the competition rules before submission.

Conclusion
The Never Such Innocence International Competition 2026/27 gives young people an opportunity to transform their thoughts and perspectives into creative work that can reach an international audience.

With entries open until February 26, 2027, eligible young people should start developing their ideas early, carefully follow the submission rules and submit work that genuinely reflects their own perspective.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE

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