Shaping Our Shared Future—Youth Visions for Life, Society, and the World Ahead
The International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA) in collaboration with UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) invites children and youth from around the world to participate in the 2026 Youth Innovation: Collaborating to Improve and Protect our Planet (CIPP) campaign—a creative platform for young people to engage with sustainable development, express their ideas, and contribute to shaping a more sustainable future.
Since its launch in 2024, CIPP has reached 67,801 children and youth and more than 8,000 teachers from 40 countries, resulting in 66,565 creative submissions. The campaign fosters intercultural dialogue, enhances sustainability awareness, and empowers young people to express their concerns and aspirations through creative means.
The 2026 edition invites participants to explore how present choices shape tomorrow’s environment, cultures, technologies, health, and social cohesion—translating local observations into creative contributions for a sustainable and peaceful future.
Five Central Themes
Participants may choose from the following themes:
| Theme | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| I: Our Changing Planet | Climate change, biodiversity conservation, oceans and freshwater systems |
| II: Our Living Heritage | Safeguarding cultural heritage, intercultural dialogue, innovative transmission of traditions |
| III: Our Well-being | Healthy lifestyles, mental well-being, inclusive public spaces, sustainable consumption |
| IV: Our Digital Future | Responsible, inclusive, and ethical uses of digital technologies, including AI |
| V: Our Peaceful Society | Cultures of peace, non-violence, cooperation, empathy, dialogue, community resilience |
Who Can Participate
The campaign is open to children and youth worldwide in two age groups:
-
Children’s Group: 5–10 years old (born between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2021)
-
Youth Group: 11–17 years old (born between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2016)
For team entries, the group category is determined by the age of the oldest team member.
How to Participate
Step 1: Entry Registration
Submit basic information about your entry to generate a unique Work ID. An Invitation Code from your UNESCO ASPnet instructor / coordinator or partner organization is required. If your school is not part of the UNESCO ASPnet network, obtain your Invitation code by writing to icua_cipp@icua.org and mentioning UNESCO IITE as a partner organization.
Step 2: Participant Information Registration
Each participant (up to 20 per entry) must complete individual registration and link their record to the entry using the Work ID.
Registration Deadline: 31 October 2026
Registration Links:
-
Entry Registration: https://reg.icua-cipp.cn/f/d7Kown
-
Official Website: https://www.icua-cipp.com/en/activity/2026
Work Categories
Children’s Group
-
Painting — Hand-drawn original work (A3 or A2)
-
Craft — Original work using diverse materials (max. L120 × W60 × H100 cm)
-
Solution — Explore a real-life issue and present creative solutions
-
Live-action Video — Original video (3–5 min)
Youth Group
-
Painting — Hand-drawn original work (A3 or A2)
-
Poster — Design a poster (A3 / A2 / A1 / A0)
-
Solution — Analyse a real-world issue and propose feasible solutions
-
Live-action Video — Original video (3–5 min)
-
AI Short Video — AI-generated short video (≤2 min)
Note: Only the AI Short Video category permits the use of generative AI tools. All other categories strictly prohibit AI-generated content.
Awards and Recognition
Student Awards:
-
Award for Leadership in Sustainable Innovation — Highest standards in thematic relevance, innovation, completeness, and impact
-
Award for Pioneering Sustainability — Strong alignment with theme, rigorous and highly complete
-
Award for Sustainability Exploration — Aligns with theme and basic requirements
A number of Special Awards is also available for students.
Teacher Recognition:
-
Outstanding Mentor Award — For instructors whose students receive top awards
-
Certificate of Acknowledgement — For instructors whose students submit eligible works
Institutional Recognition:
-
Outstanding School/Organization Award — For schools/organizations submitting more than 40 works
-
Certificate of Acknowledgement — For schools/organizations whose students submit eligible works
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Project Launch | Early June 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Assessment | November 2026 |
| Award Announcement, Ceremony & Showcase | Mid-December 2026 |
Submission Requirements
-
Originality: All works must be original and must not infringe upon any third-party rights.
-
AI Use: Only permitted in the AI Short Video category, with truthful disclosure required.
-
Language: Submissions in national languages may be accepted with English translation in certain countries.
Contact
For inquiries, please contact the campaign organizer:
icua_cipp@icua.org
Official Website: www.icua-cipp.com
Join us in shaping a sustainable and peaceful future. Your creativity can make a difference!
Read more in the 2026 Concept Note_EN and the 2026 CIPP Registration & Submission Guide