How To Apply?
YRE Bangladesh Competition 2026
Empowering Young Reporters for the Environment
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025-2026 YRE National Competition, spearheaded by Probha Aurora, the National Operator for the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in Bangladesh. This competition provides an excellent platform for young minds to showcase their journalistic and creative talents, delve into environmental challenges, craft compelling stories, and propose innovative solutions. Excitingly, winners will have the chance to represent Bangladesh on the international stage at the YRE International Competition.
The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) program empowers youth aged 11-25 to become passionate environmental advocates through the art of investigative journalism, nurturing a dynamic global network of informed and engaged citizens. Join us in making a difference and let your voice be heard!
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.
2025-2026 Competition Theme
Food Security and Climate change
This year’s international competition centers on the powerful and timely theme of Food Security and Climate Change. Food systems are not only highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but they also significantly contribute to it, making this issue both urgent and interconnected. Addressing food security is critical to advancing key global goals, including SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action. Food connects us all, across cultures, communities, and generations.
Participants are invited to delve into the dynamic and interwoven relationship between food systems and a changing climate. They are encouraged to examine how climate change is shaping local agriculture, disrupting food supply chains, intensifying food loss and waste, and challenging community resilience. At the same time, the competition calls for thoughtful exploration of sustainable, climate-smart, and resilient food practices. We particularly welcome innovative ideas and solution-oriented stories that advance both food security and climate action, within Bangladesh and across the globe, driving meaningful progress toward a more sustainable future.
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, national operator, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Age categories
The YRE International Competition has three age groups:
- 11-14 years
- 15-18 years
- 19-25 years
For group submissions, the age of the oldest member will determine the age category.
Competition Categories:
Participants can submit their work in one or more of the following categories:
| Category | Sub-Category | Format / Length | AI Tool Use Policy |
| Article | Newspaper articles, Blog posts, Long Facebook posts | N/A | Not Accepted (Translation AI is permitted) |
| Photo | One Take Photo (Single Reportage) | 1 Photo | Not Accepted |
| Staged Campaign Photo | 1 Photo | Welcomed and Encouraged | |
| Photo Story | 3–5 Photos | Not Accepted | |
| Video | Long-form Reporting | Maximum 3 minutes | Not Accepted (Editing software is permitted) |
| Short-form Campaign | TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels | Welcomed and Encouraged | |
| Podcast | Reportage or Campaign | N/A | To be confirmed by National Operator |
Note: All entries must first be submitted to the National Competition and be selected as the first-place winner to advance to the YRE International Competition.
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:
- Register through your school or organization, supported by Probha Aurora.
- Submit your entry in one or more categories (article, photo, video, podcast).
- Ensure your submission follows the international competition guidelines.
- National Judging: A panel of national experts will review entries, and winners will advance to the International Competition.
Submission Deadline:
- National Deadline (Estimated): To allow for national judging and submission to the international competition, the national deadline is April 10, 2026. Participants MUST confirm the official deadline with Probha Aurora.
Awards and Opportunities:
- National Winners will be honored with certificates and recognized at a national event.
- National Winners will represent Bangladesh in the YRE International Competition through Probha Aurora, national operator of Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)
- Winning submissions will represent Bangladesh in the YRE International Competition, competing with young reporters from around the world.
Please note:
All young reporters must first submit their entry to their national/ network competition and be selected as the first-place winner before being submitted to the International Competition by National Operators.
Young reporters may submit more than one type of submission to different media categories.
Get Started Today!
This is your chance to contribute to Food Security & Climate Change solutions and help shape a sustainable future. Join the YRE National Competition and let your voice be heard in the fight for a healthier planet!
For more information, visit Probha Aurora’s YRE National Competition Page or contact your school’s YRE coordinator.
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.