About the contest

In the framework of World Soil Day 2022, FAO's GSP is calling on children and teens, from ages 5 to 14, living all around the world, to use their imagination and create a poster by kids for kids  that illustrates how soils are crucial for food production, better nutrition and healthy diets in our daily lives. The contest should also help raise awareness on the importance of sustainable soil management, including a sustainable use of fertilizers.

The objectives of this contest are:

1. Create colorful artworks that tell the story of soils for nutrition/soil fertility, emphasizing the link between soils, food production, nutrition and healthy diets. 
2. Promote educational activities, engagement and participation of children and schools in soil science.
3. Develop empathy/understanding between children of the world on soils, our silent allies.
4. Reflect on the different types of links and challenges posed by unhealthy soils regarding food security, nutrition, and human well-being.

How to take part

Submit your drawing in a poster format illustrating the close relationship between soils, food, nutrition, and healthy diets. The aim is to raise awareness of the threat posed by soil nutrients loss/soil fertility decrease, with the motto "Soils: Where food begins".

All young people who care about nature and soil and want to take part in this challenge are invited to participate. Schools and colleges around the world can also compete. The competition is divided into the following categories:  

Category A | age range between 5-10 years old

Category B | age range between 10-14 years old 

Requirements

• Each participant and/or group of participants can only submit one entry.
• The drawings must be an original work of the participant/s.
• Poster entries may be drawn, painted (see the soil painting tutorial in English | Spanish) or sketched using pens, pencils, crayons or charcoal, or using oil, acrylic or watercolour paint, as well as mixed media. Digitally created artworks are also allowed*. 
• Drawing may or may not include text. If text is used, no more than 25 words or 100 characters can be accepted.
• Working on an A4/A3 or A2 sheet is recommended, to make it easier for the scan and upload of the poster design. If the drawing is larger, a digital photo of the work may have to be taken in order to successfully digitalize and upload the photo file.

*Parents and/or teachers can help the youngest participants to understand the dynamics of soils for nutrition through dedicated lessons that will help children engage in the contest.

Submission and deadline

Submissions should be sent by 22 November 2022 through any free file transfer service/platform (i.e. Google drive, Share drive, WeTransfer, Dropbox) to [email protected] and include the mandatory Registration form – accessible on Google forms.

For any issues to access the Google form, please download it here and send it to [email protected].

All participants - if allowed by their parents - or family, schools on their behalf, are encouraged to share their work through available social media channels as well, using the hashtags #WorldSoilDay and #Soils4Nutrition.

Only digital files will be accepted – please do not send any physical posters.

**All participants are encouraged to learn more about World Soil Day and to consult the GSP publications.

Evaluation and awards

A selection committee will evaluate all poster submissions, and the final decision will be announced and published on FAO websites. The finalists will be chosen based on creativity and originality, quality of the content, technical and scientific proficiency, and artistic/visual impact of the poster. 

• The top 3 drawings in each category (6 drawings in total) will be selected for the shortlist by the screening committee and notified in December 2022. Shortlisted candidates will receive a certificate for this achievement.
• After an online voting phase on Facebook the 2 winning drawing designs (one per each category) will be selected and announced on the WSD website on 5 December 2022, World Soil Day.
• Winners will be promoted on FAO social media and by FAO offices around the world. Winners will also receive a Certificate of Recognition and a surprise gift bag***. 

***When winning posters are published, only the first initial, full family name (or school/institute) and country of origin will be published. No other personal information about the contestants will be published or shared.

Terms and conditions

• Copyright of materials submitted remains with the respective participants, and copyright owners will be credited accordingly. 
• Minors must have the permission of their parents or legal guardians to participate in the contest.
• By submitting your entry, you consent to the drawing being uploaded on digital platforms, and distributed via social media channels.
• The GSP does not accept responsibility for, or endorse the views of the contestants.

Read the full text here.