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Nominations open for UNESCO International Literacy Prizes

Deadline: 27 June 2025

The Member States and International Non-Governmental Organizations which maintain official relations with UNESCO are invited to solicit and submit nominations for the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes.

UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have rewarded excellence and innovation in the field of literacy. 512 projects and programmes undertaken by governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world have been recognized. Through these prestigious Prizes, UNESCO seeks to support effective literacy practices and encourages the promotion of dynamic literate societies.

Categories

  • Currently there are two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes:
    • The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 awards)
      • The support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, it gives special consideration to mother language-based literacy development.
    • The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards)
      • The support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, it gives special consideration functional literacy, leveraging technological environments, in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth.

Funding Information

  • The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize
    • Each prizewinner receives a medal, a diploma and US$20.000.
  • The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy
    • Each prizewinner receives a medal, a diploma and US$30.000.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Institutions, organizations and individuals promoting literacy through effective and innovative programmes.
  • Programmes must be still in operation and have a proven record of innovative work in the field of literacy for at least 2 years.
  • Programmes that have not been awarded the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes in the past five years.

Selection Criteria

  • All the eligible nominated applications submitted to UNESCO will be examined by an international jury, composed of distinguished experts appointed by UNESCO’s Director-General, which meets in Paris once a year.
  • Based on its recommendations, the Director-General of UNESCO makes a final decision about the Prizewinners.
  • The Prizes are awarded every year at an official ceremony on the International Literacy Day, 8 September (TBC).

For more information, visit UNESCO.