UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2024

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About UNESCO International Literacy Prizes

The UNESCO International Literacy Prizes are awarded annually to individuals and organizations who have contributed outstandingly to promoting literacy. Each year, the prizes focus on a specific theme, and for 2024, the theme is “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace.” This theme highlights the importance of literacy in multiple languages to foster mutual understanding and peace among diverse communities.

This prestigious award invites Member States and International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to nominate candidates implementing effective and innovative literacy programs. The application and nomination process is thorough, ensuring that only the most impactful and sustainable programs are recognized and rewarded. By participating, you join a global community dedicated to advancing literacy and contributing to a more educated and harmonious world.

• Application Deadline:
  • July 5, 2024 (for National Commission submissions)
  • July 19, 2024 (for NGO submissions)

• Sponsor Organisation: UNESCO

Benefits of UNESCO International Literacy Prizes

There are currently two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes:

The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 Awards):

Established in 2005 and supported by the People’s Republic of China’s government. This award recognizes programs that promote literacy, including functional literacy, by leveraging technological environments to assist adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth. Each UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy winner receives a medal, a diploma, and US$30,000.

The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 Awards): 

Established in 1989 and supported by the Republic of Korea’s government. It prioritizes programs that promote literacy development based on the mother language. Each UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize winner receives an award, a diploma, and US$20,000 in cash.

Additional benefits:

• Recognition at an international level.
• Increased visibility for your literacy program.
• Opportunities to network with other literacy advocates and experts.
• Potential to inspire and influence literacy initiatives globally.
• No direct financial aid or funding is provided through the prize itself.

UNESCO International Literacy Prizes Requirements

The National Commission for UNESCO and international NGOs maintaining an official relationship with UNESCO can nominate the following groups of people:

• Applicants who are promoting literacy through effective and innovative projects or programs
• Open to all governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals who contribute to promoting and advancing literacy learning through projects and programs.
• Have proven innovative work in the field of literacy for at least two years
• Who has not received the UNESCO International Literacy Prize in the past five years
• Programs should align with the theme “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace.”

Selection Process and Criteria for the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes

• The concerned National Commission or International NGO reviews applications.
• An international jury of distinguished experts appointed by UNESCO’s Director-General evaluates the nominated applications.
• The jury meets in Paris and makes recommendations to the Director-General of UNESCO, who makes the final decision.
• The prizes are awarded annually at a ceremony on International Literacy Day, September 8.

The following are the selection criteria:

• Activities relevant to the theme of the year
• Relevance to the societal and individual needs
• The teaching and learning quality
• The activities impact
• Innovative approaches
• Sustainability of the project or program

Important Notes Before Applying

• Before completing the application, read about previous prize winners and note points that make them noteworthy and distinctive.
• Avoid jargon and broad generalizations. Ask an external to review the application before submission.
• Prizes are about achieving effective literacy programs and approaches, so do not explain or justify the value and importance of literacy.
• The Prizes are not used to fund current programs or proposed projects.
• They are not a means of funding research.
• Awards are not for programs in the early stages of ideation or development.
• Applicants should name and title any files or websites.

Application Date and Process

For applicants – Application

• To begin with, the applicant needs to request the access to the online form through this link and specify in particular the submission channel (either a government via the National Commission for UNESCO, or an International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) maintaining official relations with UNESCO). Once your access is granted by the Secretariat, the applicant will receive an automatic notification to the email address indicated*.
• The applicant needs to complete the online form (in English or in French). The applicant can attach relevant supporting materials (e.g. reports, publications) of less than 100 pages in total.
• The applicant who opts for the government channel will then send the submission form with supporting materials to the appropriate National Commission (by selecting ‘YES’ under ‘Submit the application to a National Commission and clicking on “Save” at the bottom) by 5 July 2024 (midnight, Paris time).
• The applicant who opts to apply through an international NGO maintaining official relations with UNESCO, needs to obtain a nomination letter from the NGO in question that recommends them for the Prizes. This nomination letter must be attached to the submission form by the applicant.
• For this purpose, please identify an International NGO in official relations with UNESCO which is active in the related fields, notably literacy and send your application with supporting documents to that NGO. The applicant should then submit the electronic application form with the written nomination letter and supporting materials to UNESCO (by selecting ‘YES’ under ‘Submit the nomination to UNESCO (via NGO)” and clicking on “Save” at the bottom) by 19 July 2024 (midnight, Paris time).
• If applicants have difficulties reaching an appropriate nominating entity, they should contact the Secretariat of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes for further guidance.
• Please note that self-nominations will not be taken into consideration, and that any submission form missing a written recommendation issued by a Government of a Member State through the National Commission for UNESCO (directly in the form), or an International NGO which maintains official relations with UNESCO (a nomination letter in attachment), will not be accepted by the Secretariat of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes.

 

For Governments (National Commissions for UNESCO) and International NGOs – Nominations

The relevant National Commission will receive a notification every time an application form is submitted to them for their nomination. The notification will contain a link to the online form, which will be accessible through the e-mail address associated with its generic UNESCO account.

• To access the nomination form, the National Commission should:
  • Follow the link provided to the application.
  • On the login page, enter the username (in this format [email protected]) (For example, the username for the National Commission of China is [email protected]); and
  • Enter the password associated with the UNESCO account of the National Commission.
• The National Commission reviews the forms received and nominates up to three submissions for the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize and up to three submissions for the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy
• To nominate a candidate, the National Commission should edit the form by entering a written recommendation in the appropriate fields, in English or French, and cover the following:
  • A description of the nominee’s background and achievements;
  • A summary of the work or the results of the work, publications and other supporting documents of major importance, submitted for consideration;  
  • A succinct evaluation of the nominee’s contribution to the Prize’s objectives.

It should then select ‘YES’ under ‘Submit a nomination to UNESCO’ and click on the button ‘Save’ at the bottom of page. The applicant will then be informed of the nomination.
Please submit the nomination(s) with a written recommendation to UNESCO via the online platform before 19 July 2024  (midnight, Paris time).  

A NGO which maintains an official relation with UNESCO, if solicited by a candidate and wishing to submit the nomination, should provide the applicant with a nomination letter to be attached by the applicant to the application form.

Kindly send the recommendations to the concerned applicants via e-mail or mail before 19 July 2024 (midnight, Paris time).  

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