Photography Initiative
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Photography Initiative
Overview
Freshwater and Resilient Islands is a global photography initiative organised as part of the 2nd Islands Water Congress. It invites people around the world to share photographs that explore freshwater and resilience in island communities and environments.
Selected photographs are exhibited during the Congress, bringing personal and visual perspectives into conversations around water security and climate resilience.
Theme: Freshwater, Islands, and Resilience
We are looking for photographs that tell stories of freshwater and resilience in island communities and environments. Submissions may explore how islands experience, respond to and adapt to water scarcity, drought, flooding, extreme weather and climate change, as well as the ways communities protect, manage and adapt their freshwater resources.
Photographs may feature people and communities; traditional practices and local knowledge; freshwater ecosystems and landscapes; water collection, storage and supply; adaptation and recovery following extreme events; innovative solutions; or everyday relationships with freshwater that demonstrate resilience, stewardship and change.
A photograph does not need to depict a formal water project or piece of infrastructure. It should have a clear connection to freshwater, an island context and resilience. Photographs focused solely on marine or coastal environments fit where that connection is clear.
Who Can Participate?
Who can submit?
Freshwater and Resilient Islands welcomes submissions from individuals worldwide who meet the initiative’s eligibility and submission requirements.
No Entry Fee.
Application Requirements
Applicants should be between 18 and 35 years old and proficient in English. To apply, please submit:
- A short motivation letter (300 words) in PDF format explaining your interest in the role, preferred sub-theme(s) from the Congress Thematic Framework, and preferred rapporteur category (Reporter, Editor, Newsletter, or Social Media),
- A short professional CV (maximum 2 pages),
- Two writing samples,
- One reference letter (1 page) on official letterhead, with a logo and signature.
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline is 13 December 2026.
What to Submit
Submission Requirements
Each participant may enter one submission containing up to three photographs. Images may be portrait, landscape or square, and must be submitted without watermarks, borders or added text.
- Up to three high-resolution JPEG/JPG or TIFF photographs, at least 2400 pixels on the longest side.
- A title for the overall submission.
- A caption of no more than 30 words for each photograph, explaining its story, context and/or significance.
- The island and/or country where each photograph was taken, and the photographer’s full name.
- Completed Photography Usage Authorisation Form.
Images must be suitable for professional printing and exhibition. AI-generated photographs are not permitted.
Selection and Awards
Shortlisted and Awards
Following the submission deadline, eligible photographs are reviewed and shortlisted before an independent judging panel assesses them. The panel considers connection to the theme, visual storytelling, originality and overall impact.
The panel selects first, second and third place. A People’s Choice Award is decided by participants at the 2nd Islands Water Congress. Winners are announced during the Closing Ceremony on 29 January 2027.
Exhibition
Originality, Image Rights and Consent
Photographs are the original work of the person submitting them and must not plagiarise or infringe another person’s copyright, intellectual property or other rights. Photographers retain copyright and receive credit for their images.
By submitting, photographers grant IWRA, WRA and the Islands Water Congress a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to reproduce, display and distribute the photograph for Congress-related purposes, including exhibitions, the Congress website and online gallery, programmes, reports, communications, social media and materials for current and future Congress editions. Submitted photographs are not sold or licensed to third parties for commercial purposes.
Photographers are responsible for ensuring that their photographs are taken and submitted ethically. Where individuals are identifiable, the photographer has the appropriate permission for public exhibition and publication. The Congress may decline photographs that compromise the dignity, privacy or safety of people or communities depicted.