UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2020 for Innovative Literacy Projects

UNESCO is calling for applications and nominations for its two prestigious International Literacy Prizes for the 2020 edition. 

Application Deadlines:

• Deadline for candidates to submit applications to nominating entities: 28th June 2020 (midnight, Paris time).
• Deadline for nominating entities to submit their nominations to UNESCO: 12th July 2020 (midnight, Paris time).

Offered Annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All

About the Award: UNESCO has now opened its call for applications and nominations for the 2020 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes. This year UNESCO will reward five individuals or organizations around the world for their outstanding projects that promote literacy within the theme ‘Teaching and learning literacy: the role of educators and changing pedagogies’.

2020 thematic focus: “Teaching and learning literacy: The role of educators and changing pedagogies”.

This year’s thematic focus is highlighting teachers who are at the frontline of delivering literacy learning, and their contribution to promoting youth and adult literacy, linked to target 4.6 of the Sustainable Development Goal on Education (SDG4), where literacy is perceived as a continuum developed throughout life.

UNESCO distinguishes between two Literacy Prizes which are given to five laureates:

The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (2 awards), was established in 1989 and is supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea. It gives special consideration to programmes that focus on the development and use of mother-tongue literacy education and training.

The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards), was established in 2005, and is supported by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. This Prize recognizes programmes that promote adult literacy, especially in rural areas and for out-of-school youth, particularly girls and women.

Type: Contest

Eligibility: Candidates should take into account this year’s theme – literacy and Multilingualism – and also consider the special focus of each Prize.

• Institutions, organizations and individuals promoting literacy through effective and innovative projects or programmes.
• Eligible programmes or projects who have a proven record of innovative work in the field of literacy for at least three years.
• Programmes/projects that have not been awarded the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes in the past five years.

Number of Awards: 5

Value of Program: Each of the five prizewinners receives a medal, a diploma and US$20.000.

The UNESCO International Literacy Prizes are awarded in an official ceremony on the occasion of the International Literacy Day.

How to Apply: Governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals are kindly invited to apply. All applications should be submitted to nominating entities, such as the National Commission for UNESCO in the country of the programme, or an NGO that is in an official partnership with UNESCO. Applications can be submitted via the online platform, detailed information about the application and nomination process is to be found on the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes’ website.

Visit Program Webpage for details