The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN), in partnership with the Wise Use of Caribbean Wetlands Project, is pleased to announce the launch of the National Creative Young Voices for Wetlands Competition, in celebration of World Wetlands Day 2026.

Guided by the official global theme for 2026, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” the competition invites students across Antigua and Barbuda to creatively explore the vital relationship between wetlands, culture, and community life.

Young people are encouraged to express their ideas within their respective age categories through three creative streams: Writing, Photography, and Art. Submissions may include poems, short stories, essays, drawings, paintings, digital art, and photography. Participants are asked to reflect on how wetlands contribute to human health, livelihoods, cultural identity, and environmental sustainability—and why safeguarding these ecosystems is essential for future generations.

The competition is open now through January 26, 2026, providing students with an engaging and meaningful creative opportunity at the start of the new year. Parents, guardians, and educators are encouraged to support youth by fostering conversations about the importance of wetlands, including their role in climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and cultural heritage.

Winners will be announced on February 2, 2026—World Wetlands Day.

As part of ESFN’s month-long World Wetlands Day celebrations, winning submissions will be showcased throughout February via social media features, exhibitions, and community events. In addition, all entries will be published in ESFN’s Endeavour Publication, ensuring wide national exposure for participants’ creativity and environmental insight.

The competition also aligns with national pride, as Antigua and Barbuda is home to the Codrington Lagoon, a Ramsar-designated wetland of international importance under the Wetlands Convention.

Wetlands are among the planet’s most productive ecosystems. They provide natural protection against storms and coastal erosion, serve as critical habitats for fish, birds, and endangered species, support local fishing livelihoods, store carbon to mitigate climate change, filter freshwater supplies, and offer cultural and recreational value that strengthens community life. In Antigua and Barbuda, wetlands and mangrove systems play a particularly crucial role in protecting coastal communities and sustaining biodiversity.

EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network and the Wise Use of Caribbean Wetlands Project invite all eligible youth to participate in this inspiring national initiative. Submission guidelines can be found at:
ecosfn.com/young-voices-for-wetlands-competion-criteria

Entries may be submitted via the following link:
https://qrco.de/bgYRqF

Prizes will be awarded to submissions that best demonstrate ESFN’s core pillar of Expression, alongside creativity, originality, and cultural heritage. Winning and shortlisted entries will also be highlighted across partner platforms, offering students national visibility for their environmental leadership.

This World Wetlands Day, ESFN celebrates the power of creativity while nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards and climate-resilience advocates.