Creatives4Peace Youth Online Innovation Challenge by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Empowering Young African Creatives to Drive Peace, Dialogue, and Social Cohesion Through Art

The Creatives4Peace Youth Online Innovation Challenge, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower young African creatives who are using art, culture, and digital expression as tools for peacebuilding, dialogue, and social cohesion. This opportunity recognizes that creativity is not just a form of expression, but also a powerful force for transforming societies, bridging divides, and fostering unity across communities.

This challenge invites young innovators from across Africa to submit their creative projects in digital form. The goal is to highlight how artistic expression can be used to reduce conflict, encourage tolerance, and promote inclusive development in societies that are often divided by social, political, or cultural differences.

Selected participants will gain international visibility, professional exposure, and the opportunity to present their work at the Culture and Creative Industries Forum in Cameroon, where they will engage with industry leaders, investors, and fellow creatives from across Africa and the diaspora.

Overview of the Creatives4Peace Innovation Challenge

The Creatives4Peace initiative focuses on harnessing the power of creative industries to build peaceful and inclusive societies. It encourages submissions that demonstrate how art and creativity can influence positive social change.

Applicants are encouraged to submit work that can be shared digitally and that reflects strong themes of peacebuilding, inclusion, tolerance, and cultural unity.

Eligible Creative Fields

Participants may submit projects in any of the following creative and cultural industries:

1. Performing Arts

Projects may include:

• Music compositions and performances
• Short films and documentaries
• Dance productions
• Theatre and stage performances
• Spoken word poetry and storytelling
• Performance-based artistic works

2. Gaming and Interactive Media

This includes:

• Video games and mobile games
• Board games and physical games
• Educational simulations and puzzles
• Gamified learning tools
• Interactive storytelling platforms

3. Digital Art and Multimedia

Projects may include:

• Graphic design and illustration
• Animation and motion graphics
• Photography and videography
• Digital storytelling projects
• Multimedia installations and interactive visuals

4. Fashion and Wearable Design

This category includes:

• Clothing and textile design
• Sustainable fashion and upcycling
• Costume design
• Accessories and wearable art
• Fashion-based creative enterprises

5. Crafts and Artisan Work

Eligible works include:

• Handmade crafts and artisan products
• Woodwork and ceramics
• Jewelry design and beadwork
• Textile weaving and traditional crafts
• Painting and visual craft production

Benefits for Selected Participants

Selected creatives will receive significant opportunities, including:

• Showcase of their work at the Culture and Creative Industries Forum in Cameroon
• Fully funded travel and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) covered by UNDP
• Opportunity to pitch creative projects to private sector partners for investment or collaboration
• International exposure and visibility across creative industry platforms
• Networking opportunities with young creatives from Africa and the diaspora
• Access to future support, partnerships, and professional growth opportunities

Additionally, three outstanding participants will be selected for special recognition and invited to present their work at the forum in Cameroon.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit their creative work through the official application form provided by UNDP. Submissions must be digital and clearly demonstrate how the creative work contributes to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and dialogue.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure their submissions clearly reflect originality, creativity, and social impact.

APPLY HERE

Deadline

The application deadline is September (exact date not specified, likely aligned with the September 2026 Culture and Creative Industries Forum in Cameroon). Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible due to competitive selection.

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

Discover more Global Competition Opportunities on OFY here.