The Trust for Sustainable Living (TSL) has opened entries for the 2026 International Schools Essay Competition and Debate,inviting young voices worldwide to explore creative ideas on “Sustainability Culture.”
The competition, free to enter, provides a global stage for students aged 7 to 18 to express how individuals, communities, and nations can build a culture that protects the planet and ensures a sustainable future.
Why It Matters
This initiative empowers the next generation to think critically about sustainability and environmental stewardship. It helps children and teens not only to share ideas but also to learn from peers across continents. Beyond the prizes, it builds awareness about climate responsibility and creativity — nurturing the kind of leaders Africa and the world need for tomorrow.
Eligibility
The competition is open to:
- Students worldwide aged 7 to 18
- Participants submitting only one entry each
- Entries submitted by a registered Teacher Champion(teachers or parents must create an account to submit on behalf of the student)
Theme
The 2026 theme is “Sustainability Culture.”
Students are encouraged to interpret it in their own creative ways , through artwork, music, video, poem, essay, letter, or story. There are no limits on creativity as long as submissions meet the stated criteria.
Submission Guidelines
- Accepted file formats: DOC, DOCX, PDF, JPG, PNG, MP3, or MP4
- Maximum file size: 400MB
- Written entries: maximum 600 words (excluding bibliography, plus optional 150-word reflection)
- Video/audio entries: maximum 3 minutes
Prizes
- Grand Prize Winner: Trophy + £1,000 cash prize and £500 for their school
- Runner-Up: Trophy +£500 cash prize and £250 for their school
- Cash prizes are paid in local currency, alongside recognition certificates for finalists and honourable mentions.
Competition Timeline
- 01 March 2026: Deadline for submissions (by midnight UTC on the TSL Submittable page)
- 01 May 2026: Announcement of finalists and honourable mentions on TSL website
- 22 May 2026: Certificates available on the TSL Certificates Portal
- End of May 2026: Invitations sent to eligible students for the debates
- Early July 2026: International Student Debates (online) for Primary & Secondary Schools