The Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest 2025 invites young people from around the world to showcase their creativity and vision. Organized by UNESCO, this international photography competition encourages youth to capture powerful images reflecting the shared heritage of the Silk Roads. This year’s theme is “Women, Guardians of Silk Roads Heritage.”
This contest gives participants the chance to explore history, culture, and intercultural dialogue through the lens of a camera. It promotes peace, understanding, and cultural diversity while highlighting the crucial roles that women have played across generations in Silk Road societies. Anyone aged 14 to 25 can take part, whether they live in a Silk Road country or have visited one.
Winners of the contest will receive amazing prizes, including professional and semi-professional cameras. The best entries will be published in the official photo album, “Youth Lens on the Silk Roads,” and may also be displayed in global exhibitions hosted by UNESCO.
What makes this contest even more special is that it’s completely free to enter, and participants can upload up to 20 photographs. This global platform encourages young photographers to tell meaningful stories and honor the women who keep cultural traditions alive.
Quick Overview of Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest 2025
- Host Organization: UNESCO
- Theme (2025): Women, Guardians of Silk Roads Heritage
- Deadline: 20 July 2025
- Age Groups: 14–17 and 18–25
- Region Focus: Countries along the historic Silk Roads
- Submission Limit: 1–20 photographs
- Participation Fee: None (Free of cost)
- Entry Format: JPEG or JPG (min 1500px in width or height)
- Prize Value: Professional camera, semi-professional camera, or digital camera
- Result Announcement: Mid-September 2025
Perks of Participating in the Photo Competition
- Receive international recognition through UNESCO platforms and exhibitions
- Stand a chance to win a professional camera
- Have your work published in the prestigious Youth Lens on the Silk Roads photo album
- Get selected for global exhibitions in cities like Paris, Doha, Beijing, and more
- Build your portfolio and network with photographers and artists around the world
- Be part of a UNESCO initiative aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Benefits of Photography Contest for Youth
- Deepen your understanding of intercultural heritage and storytelling through images
- Enhance your photography resume with global exposure and UNESCO branding
- Learn to express yourself creatively while honoring important historical legacies
- Help raise awareness about the role of women in cultural preservation
- Open to youth from all nations, regardless of experience or background
Exclusions of the Silk Road Photo Contest
- Participants must not use artificial intelligence to generate or enhance images
- Past winners of other contests may not reuse the awarded images
- Images must not include offensive, defamatory, or inappropriate content
- Employees of UNESCO or the donor foundation and their families cannot apply
Eligibility Criteria of the UNESCO Photo Contest
- You must be 14–25 years old at the time of applying
- Open to participants from any country, especially those from the Silk Road regions
- If under 18, a written consent form from a parent or guardian is required
- You must have access to the internet to apply
- Each participant must submit their original work
- You must agree to the rules and image usage terms of UNESCO
Important Dates to Remember for the Women Guardians of Heritage Contest
- Applications Open: 26 May 2025
- Submission Deadline: 20 July 2025 at 23:59 (GMT+1)
- Winners Announced: Mid-September 2025
- Global Exhibitions and Album Release: Post-announcement (Dates TBA)
How to Apply to the Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Contest
- Go to https://unescosilkroadphotocontest.org/en/participate
- Click on “Participate” and create your account
- Upload 1 to 20 photographs (JPEG or JPG, at least 1500px in height or width)
- Add a caption in English for each photo
- If under 18, upload a signed permission letter from your parent or guardian
- Submit your entry before 20 July 2025
- Keep an eye on your email for confirmation and updates
Required Documents for the Cultural Heritage Photo Contest
- Photographs (1–20 images, JPEG/JPG, high resolution)
- Captions for each photo (in English)
- Signed permission form (only for participants under 18)
- Internet access and a personal email address
Country-Specific Criteria Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest
There are no country restrictions. However, participants should live in or have traveled through countries connected to the historic Silk Roads, which span:
- Asia: East, South, and Southeast Asia
- Central Asia and the Middle East
- Europe: Eastern, Southern, France, Spain
- Africa: North and Northeast regions (e.g., Morocco to Tanzania)
Check the Silk Roads map on the official website to confirm your region.
