Research
Youth Voices Essay Competition
Empowering the next generation to imagine a fairer, more inclusive Bangladesh.
About the Competition
The Young Voices for Inclusion Essay Competition invites Bangladeshi middle school students (ages 11–14) to think creatively about real issues shaping our country. Our goal is simple: To help young people engage with important social issues and connect their ideas to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year’s theme:
Indigenous peoples and their role inbuilding an inclusive democracy.
Why This Matters
Across Bangladesh, Indigenous communities bring incredible cultural knowledge, sustainable practices, and community values that enrich our nation. Bangladesh is home to more than 54 Indigenous groups who speak around 35 unique languages.
Yet, these groups often remain marginalized in the political process, while many often face challenges like:
Land dispossession
Limited political representation
Barriers to education in their mother tongues
Loss of languages and cultural traditions
Ensuring their voices are heard in politics is critical not only for justice and equality but also for achieving key Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, and climate action.
Recognizing the importance of empowering the next generation to think critically about inclusion, this competition invites students to reflect on how young people can contribute to shaping a more equitable future.
The Essay Topic
“If you were designing a project to give Indigenous communities a stronger voice in politics, what would it look like?”
Students are encouraged to approach this question with creativity and originality.
Projects may be imagined as:
🎒 A school club
🌐 A digital campaign
🎭 A festival
🏫 A new organization
💡 or something totally original!
Your essay should:
Show understanding of the challenges Indigenous communities face
Offer creative and realistic solutions
Be hopeful, inspiring, and uniquely yours
Prizes*
🏆 1st Prize
50,000 BDT
2nd Prize
25,000 BDT
3rd Prize
10,000 BDT
*Honourable mentions may also be awarded.
Submission Rules
Open to students aged 11–14 enrolled in schools in Bangladesh
Essays must be between 500-1000 words. Submissions outside of the word count will not be accepted
Submissions must be in English
Essays must be the student’s own original work; plagiarism will result in disqualification
Submit by January 31, 2026 through the submission form
Key Dates
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January 31, 2026
Submission Deadline
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February 28, 2026
Winners Announced
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First Week of March
Award Ceremony
Youth Voices FAQs
Eligibility
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The competition is open to all students who are currently between the ages of 11 and 14.
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As long as you are between 11–14 years old, you are eligible. You will need to list your current class/grade on the form.
Essay & Submission
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Your essay must be between 500 and 1,000 words. Submissions outside this range may not be considered.
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No, the summary is optional. However, it is a good way to give the judges a quick overview of your essay's main idea.
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No, all entries must be submitted using the official online form, which includes the "Paste Essay" field.
Rules & Originality
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This means the essay must be entirely your own writing and your own ideas. You cannot copy text from the internet, books, or any other source without proper citation (and for this competition, it's best to use your own words).
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Using AI-generated text to write your essay is strictly forbidden and will result in immediate disqualification. The "Declaration" section of the form requires you to confirm you understand this rule.
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Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas and passing them off as your own. All entries will be checked, and any essay found to be plagiarized will be disqualified.
Parents & Consent
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We require a parent or legal guardian's permission for you to participate. They must fill out their section of the form and provide their name as a digital signature.
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It means your parent or guardian agrees to let you enter the competition. It also means they understand that if your essay is selected as a winner or honorable mention, it may be published (for example, on our website or in a printed booklet).
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We will contact you and your parent/guardian using the email addresses provided on the form to discuss the next steps before anything is published.
Youth Voices Team
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Rubaina Farin
Manager, Youth Voices Essay Competition
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Aditi Zahir
Director, Policy Research