Call for Submissions: “Gobi Through Our Eyes” (Mongolia)

Deadline: 1 August 2025

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization invites who are interested to join a visual arts competition “Gobi Through Our Eyes” which highlights the voices, experiences, and perspectives of the community.

Do you want to share the stories of your community through powerful imagery? Here’s your chance to explore the unique identity of the Gobi—celebrating its beauty, culture, and traditions while also reflecting on how the community promotes and safeguards their heritage. Through your lens, you can share what makes the region, including its aimags and soums, special and what they need to thrive.

Funding Information

Three winners in each category will receive a cash prize of up to 2,500,000 MNT and have their work showcased in an exhibition to be organized later in 2025, with the opportunity to have their work published in UNESCO’s reports and publications.

What they’re looking for?

Participants are invited to submit their work in a variety of media formats, including photographs, videos, art installations, or other creative expressions, accompanied by corresponding stories. Submissions should capture a meaningful aspect of life in your community. These could celebrate the richness of your culture, traditions, and natural beauty or shed light on important challenges the community faces in protecting and transmitting their heritage.
To guide your storytelling, consider the following key questions:
- What makes the region, aimag, and soum unique, and how can your work inspire others to appreciate their cultural, historical, or natural elements?
- How do traditions, stories, or daily life shape the community’s identity?
- How can your work contribute to preserving and celebrating the heritage of the community?

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to all interested participants, under two categories:
- Youth (up to 18 years old)
- Adults (19 years and above)
Minors must provide written permission from their legal guardian(s) using the sample text. No minors’ participation will be accepted without their written permission.

Application Requirements

You don’t need a fancy camera or equipment! Creativity and storytelling matter the most.
Format:
- For photographs, JPG or PNG, minimum resolution of 1500 pixels.
- For videos, MP4 format, with a maximum length of 3 minutes and a resolution of at least 720p.
- For art installations or other creative media, clear photographs or videos documenting the piece, along with a description explaining its context and message.
Focus: Images/videos/installations should capture the essence of your community’s culture, identity, and traditions.
Story: Each submission must be accompanied by a brief written story (up to 200 words) that explains the context, significance, or emotion behind the image. This story should reflect the message or narrative the art conveys, sparking thought and conversation about the identity, heritage, and future of the Gobi.
Caption: A short, captivating caption (up to 30 words) of your submission.