Organizer: Food and Agriculture Organization, UN
The objectives of this contest are:
- Create colorful artworks that tell the story of healthy soil and clean water, emphasizing their key role in achieving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems for ensuring global food security.
- Promote educational activities, engagement and participation of children and schools in soil science.
- Develop empathy/understanding between children of the world on soils, our silent allies.
- Reflect on the different types of linkages and challenges associated with the loss of soil health and water purity, and in this context the need to achieve global food security.
How to take part?
Submit your drawing in a poster format illustrating the close relationship between healthy soils, clean water, agrifood systems, nutrition, and food security. The aim is to raise awareness of the threat posed by soil nutrients loss, pollution of water resources, the impossibility of ensuring the sustainability of agrifood systems and achieving food security under the motto ” Soil and water: a source of life”.
All young people who care about nature and soil and want to take part in this challenge are invited to participate. Schools and colleges around the world can also compete. The competition is divided into the following categories:
- Category A | age range between 5-10 years old
- Category B | age range between 10-14 years old
Requirements
- Each participant and/or group of participants can only submit one entry.
- The posters must be an original work of the participant/s.
- Poster entries may be drawn, painted (see the soil painting tutorial in English | Spanish) or sketched using pens, pencils, crayons or charcoal, or using oil, acrylic or watercolour paint, as well as mixed media. Digitally created artworks are also allowed*.
- Drawing may or may not include text. If text is used, no more than 25 words or 100 characters can be accepted.
- Working on an A4/A3 or A2 sheet is recommended, to make it easier for the scan and upload of the poster design. If the drawing is larger, a digital photo of the work may have to be taken in order to successfully digitalize and upload the photo file.
*Parents and/or teachers can help the youngest participants to understand the connection between healthy soil and clean water to achieve sustainable agrifood systems through dedicated lessons that will help children engage in the contest.
Jury and awards
A selection committee will evaluate all poster submissions, and the final decision will be announced and published on FAO websites. The finalists will be chosen based on creativity and originality, quality of the content, technical and scientific proficiency, and artistic/visual impact of the poster.
- The top 3 drawings in each category (6 drawings in total) will be selected for the shortlist by the screening committee and notified in December 2023. Shortlisted candidates will receive a certificate for this achievement.
- After an online voting phase on on social media the 2 winning drawing designs (one per each category) will be selected and announced on the WSD website on 5 December 2023, World Soil Day.
- Winners will be promoted on FAO social media and by FAO offices around the world. Winners will also receive a Certificate of Recognition and a surprise gift bag***.
***When winning posters are published, only the first initial, full family name (or school/institute) and country of origin will be published. No other personal information about the contestants will be published or shared.
Submission and deadline
- Submissions should be sent by 20 November 2023 by filling and submitting the Registration form – accessible on Google forms.
- For any issues to access the Google form, please download it here and send it to World-Soil-Day@fao.org.
- All participants – if allowed by their parents – or family, schools on their behalf, are encouraged to share their work through available social media channels as well, using the hashtags #WorldSoilDay.
- Only digital files will be accepted – please do not send any physical posters.
**All participants are encouraged to learn more about World Soil Day and to consult the GSP publications.
Terms and conditions
- Copyright of materials submitted remains with the respective participants, and copyright owners will be credited accordingly.
- Minors must have the permission of their parents or legal guardians to participate in the contest.
- By submitting your entry, you consent to the drawing being uploaded on digital platforms, and distributed via social media channels.
- The GSP does not accept responsibility for, or endorse the views of the contestants.