Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) National Competition 2024-2025: Call for Entries!

We are thrilled to announce the 2024-2025 YRE National Competition, organized by Probha Aurora, the FEE National Operator in Bangladesh! If you’re passionate about the environment and want to use your creativity and journalistic skills to make a difference, this competition is your chance to raise awareness about environmental issues and propose solutions.

What is YRE?

YRE (Young Reporters for the Environment) is a global programme initiated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), empowering youth to become environmental advocates through investigative journalism. This national competition provides a platform for young people to share their perspectives on pressing environmental challenges, with an opportunity to represent Bangladesh in the YRE International Competition.

2024-2025 Competition Theme: Ecosystem Restoration

This year’s competition focuses on the urgent theme of Ecosystem Restoration. As ecosystems across the globe face threats from pollution, deforestation, and climate change, we need innovative solutions to restore these vital environments. Participants are encouraged to explore creative ways to restore and rejuvenate ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable practices.

Who Can Participate?

The competition is open to young people aged 11-25 in Bangladesh through their schools, universities, or youth organizations. Participants can enter as individuals or groups. To compete, you must register through your school or youth group’s YRE program, which is facilitated by Probha Aurora.

Competition Categories:

Participants can submit their work in one or more of the following categories:

• Article Category:
  • Investigative journalism in the form of newspaper articles, blog posts, or social media articles.
• Photo Category:
  • Submit impactful environmental images in the following sub-categories:
    • One Take Photo (single reportage photo).
    • Staged Campaign Photo (creative advocacy setup).
    • Photo Story (3-5 photos telling a visual story).
• Video Category:
  • Share your message through video submissions:
    • Long-form Reportage (max 3 minutes).
    • Short-form Campaign (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels).
• Podcast Category (New for 2024-2025):
  • Enter the exciting new podcast category, where national winners will compete for the Gosia Luszczek Podcasting Award internationally.

Age Categories:

Participants will be grouped by the following age categories:

• 11-14 years
• 15-18 years
• 19-25 years

For group submissions, the age of the oldest member will determine the age category.

Why Participate?

• National and International Exposure: National winners will represent Bangladesh at the YRE International Competition, gaining global exposure.
• Develop Skills: Build your journalism, photography, videography, or podcasting skills while advocating for the environment.
• Raise Awareness: Use your creativity to raise awareness and propose solutions for pressing environmental issues.

How to Participate:

1. Register through your school or organization, supported by Probha Aurora.
2. Submit your entry in one or more categories (article, photo, video, podcast).
3. Ensure your submission follows the international competition guidelines.
4. National Judging: A panel of national experts will review entries, and winners will advance to the International Competition.

Submission Deadline:

• National Deadline: All entries must be submitted by Saturday, April 20, 2025.

Awards and Opportunities:

• National Winners will be honored with certificates and recognized at a national event.
• Winning submissions will represent Bangladesh in the YRE International Competition, competing with young reporters from around the world.

Get Started Today!

This is your chance to contribute to Ecosystem Restoration and help shape a sustainable future. Join the YRE National Competition and let your voice be heard in the fight to restore our planet!

For more information, visit [Insert Link to Probha Aurora’s YRE National Competition Page] or contact your school’s YRE coordinator.

Let’s work together to restore ecosystems and protect the environment!

Submission Requirements

All submissions must:  

• Include the following information: 

1) Name of author(s),

2) Age of author(s) on day of submission to the National Competition,

3) Name of registered school or group,

4) Country of residence,

5) Title of entry,

6) Link(s) to dissemination

• Fulfil the Format & Structure and the Dissemination criteria for its category. 
• Be in written and/or spoken English or must have English subtitles.  
• Focus on real and current local issues with links to the global context.  
• Present possible and constructive solutions supported by credible sources e.g., local stakeholders, experts, academic research, etc.  
• Include a credit role, footnotes, ora bibliography with the sources of images, video footage, music and information not created by students.  
• Identify and provide a brief explanation of how the submission is related to one or more Sustainable Development Goals. Submissions can focus on any of the Sustainable Development Goals, but an environmental lens is always needed.