UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2025 (up to $50,000 in prizes)

Since 1967, 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.

Currently there are two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes:

1. The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 awards): Established in 1989, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, it gives special consideration to mother language-based literacy development.
2. The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards): Established in 2005, with 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-
3. school youth.

Eligibility Criteria for UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2025 (up to $50,000 in prizes)

1. Open to institutions, organizations, and individuals promoting literacy through effective and innovative programs.
2. Programs must still be in operation and have a proven record of innovative work in the field of literacy for at least 2 years.
3. Programs that have not been awarded the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes in the past five years.

Selection Criteria

1. Relevance to the themes: The program/project is pertinent to the areas focused on by the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes and the specific theme of this year.
2. Relevance to individuals and societal needs and robustness: The program/project is relevant to the individual and societal needs in a given context. The program/project is robust and effective in its design, delivery, structure, management, monitoring and evaluation.
3. Quality of teaching and learning: The quality of teaching and learning involves interrelated dimensions such as the effectiveness, the efficiency, the equality, the relevance and pertinence.
4. Impact: The 'impact' relates to both positive and negative changes made by a program/project to beneficiaries, communities and broader societies. Changes include both intended and unintended ones demonstrated by qualitative and/or quantitative evidence.
5. Innovative features: The Innovative features are concerned with new/original ideas, solutions, approaches, methods, devices and perspectives or new ways of adapting traditional ones which can adds value and make a concrete impact.
6. Sustainability: Sustainability is regarding lasting benefits and impacts of a program/project beyond the lifecycle of the current program/project.

Benefits of UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2025 (up to $50,000 in prizes)

1. UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize: Each prize winner receives a medal, a diploma and US$20,000.
2. UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy: Each prize winner receives a medal, a diploma and US$30,000.

How to Apply

The application process consists of two stages, an application and a nomination.

1. The first stage is for an applicant to fill in and submit an application form through either a National Commission for UNESCO or an International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) maintaining official relations with UNESCO.
2. The second stage is for the concerned National Commission or international NGO to review and nominate the successful candidatures to the Secretariat of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes.

View details of UNESCO International Literacy Prizes

Apply for UNESCO International Literacy Prizes

Application Deadline

27 June, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2025 (up to $50,000 in prizes)