The UN World Food Day Poster Contest 2026 is being organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” is this year’s theme. Participants are urged to investigate how innovation may support environmental preservation, feed the world’s expanding population, and build a more sustainable future.
Participants from all over the world are welcome to enter the worldwide poster competition. By creating a poster that illustrates how new concepts, science, technology, knowledge, and imagination can support a sustainable food system and a brighter future, applicants can display their inventiveness and creativity.
Submitted posters will be assessed by a panel of experts. Winners will get a certificate, a surprise gift bag, and international recognition from FAO offices worldwide.
About the UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest
Through a United Nations competition, the contest gives participants a chance to display their artistic and creative abilities. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for young talent to develop their confidence, share their creative ideas, and spread awareness of significant global issues pertaining to agriculture and food.
An international agency dedicated to eradicating hunger, enhancing nutrition, assisting sustainable agriculture, and advancing global food security is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). FAO, which has its headquarters in Rome, Italy, collaborates with governments, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to address global issues related to food and agriculture.
Participants in this poster competition can show how innovation can support food security, sustainable agriculture, environmental preservation, and a healthier future.
UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026
Contest Name: UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026
Organized By: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Location: Online
Field: Agriculture & Forestry
Type: Competition
Age Limit: 5–19 years
Entry Fee: Free
Deadline: November 6, 2026
Eligibility Criteria – UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026
The UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026 is open to children and young people from around the world who meet the age requirements.
- Candidates must be between the ages of five and nineteen.
- The competition is open to participants from all nations.
- When submitting their poster, applicants must include their age on the official entry form.
- To participate in the competition, participants under the age of eighteen must have consent from a parent or legal guardian.
- The official contest rules and submission requirements must be adhered to by all participants.
Benefits – UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026
- Free Entry: To participate in the UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026, there is no application or participation fee.
- Increase Awareness: The competition offers a chance to draw attention to significant worldwide concerns like food, innovation, sustainability, and food security.
- Showcase Creativity: By creating unique and eye-catching posters, participants can showcase their artistic talents, inventiveness, and creative ability.
- Encourage Sustainable Ideas: Participants can encourage others to take action and help create a more sustainable future by using their poster designs.
- International Shortlisting: Fifteen posters from each category will be chosen by a screening committee, for a total of sixty shortlisted posters.
- Finalists: Three winning poster designs from each category will be chosen as finalists by a jury.
- Global Recognition: On the World Food Day website, the best three poster designs from each category will be made public.
- Global Promotion: FAO offices across the globe as well as FAO social media channels will advertise and display winning entries.
- Certificate and Present: In appreciation of their accomplishment, winners will receive a Certificate of Recognition along with a surprise gift bag.
- Exposure to the United Nations: Participants will get the chance to enter an international competition and awards program run by the United Nations FAO.
UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026 Requirements
One Entry Per Participant: Each participant can submit only one poster. Submitting multiple entries may lead to disqualification.
Original Artwork: All posters must be original creations. Copied, reproduced, or plagiarized artwork will be disqualified.
Four Age Categories: The contest is divided into four age groups:
- 5–8 years
- 9–12 years
- 13–15 years
- 16–19 years
Multiple Artistic Formats: Participants can create their posters through drawing, painting, sketching, or digital art. Permitted materials include pencils, pens, crayons, charcoal, oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media. Photographs are not allowed.
AI-Generated Content: Posters must not contain artwork generated by generative AI tools. AI may be used for brainstorming or editing, but participants must disclose how AI was used.
Text Limit: Posters may include text, but it must not exceed 25 words or 100 characters. Do not include personal information such as the participant’s name, school name, or age.
No Personal or Promotional Information: Posters must not contain logos, URLs, telephone numbers, photographs of participants, or other personal information.
Follow the Theme: Artwork should reflect the official World Food Day 2026 theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” Participants can use the World Food Day Activity Book for inspiration. Younger participants may seek guidance from parents or teachers when exploring the theme.
File Format: Only digital entries saved in JPEG format will be accepted.
Online Submission: Participants must submit their poster through the designated online submission form before the deadline.
Application Process – UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026
Applicants can follow these general steps to participate:
- Check Eligibility: Make sure you are between 5 and 19 years old and meet the contest requirements.
- Understand the Theme: Create your idea around “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
- Create an Original Poster: Design your poster using an approved artistic medium such as drawing, painting, sketching, or digital artwork.
- Follow the Rules: Make sure the poster complies with the requirements regarding originality, text limits, AI use, personal information, and file format.
- Prepare the Digital File: Save your final artwork in the required JPEG format.
- Obtain Parental Consent: Participants under 18 should obtain the required consent from a parent or legal guardian.
- Complete the Entry Form: Provide the required information, including your age.
- Submit Online: Upload and submit your poster through the official FAO World Food Day Poster Contest online form.
- Submit Before the Deadline: Ensure your entry is submitted before November 6, 2026.
Required Documents / Submission Materials
Participants should prepare the following for their submission:
- Original poster artwork
- Poster saved in JPEG format
- Completed official online entry form
- Participant’s age/details required on the entry form
- Parent or legal guardian consent where required
- AI-use disclosure, if AI was used for permitted ideation or editing purposes
Important Rules for Applicants
Before submitting your poster, carefully check that:
- You are submitting only one entry.
- Your artwork is completely original.
- Your poster follows the official theme.
- Your poster does not contain prohibited personal or promotional information.
- Any text used stays within the stated limits.
- Your artwork does not contain generative-AI-created content.
- Your file is saved in JPEG format.
- Your submission is completed through the designated online form.
- Your entry is submitted before the deadline.
Deadline
The application deadline for the UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026 is:
November 6, 2026
Interested participants should submit their entries before the deadline and carefully review the official rules before applying.
Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026?
The UN FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026 is an international poster competition organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Participants are invited to create artwork based on the theme “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
Who can apply for the FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026?
The contest is open to children and young people aged 5 to 19 from countries around the world, subject to the official contest rules.
Is the FAO Poster Contest 2026 free?
Yes. No application or participation fee is required according to the provided contest information.
What is the theme of the 2026 World Food Day Poster Contest?
The theme is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
What are the age categories?
There are four categories:
- 5–8 years
- 9–12 years
- 13–15 years
- 16–19 years
Can participants from any country apply?
Yes. The contest is open to participants from all countries, subject to the official eligibility requirements.
Can I submit more than one poster?
No. Each participant can submit only one entry. Multiple submissions may result in disqualification.
Can I use AI to create my poster?
Posters must not contain content generated by a generative AI tool. AI may be used for permitted ideation or editing, but participants must disclose how it was used.
Can I use photographs in my poster?
No. Photographs are not permitted as an artistic medium for the poster entry.
What file format is required?
The poster must be submitted as a JPEG file through the designated online submission form.
How much text can be included on the poster?
If text is included, it must not exceed 25 words or 100 characters. Participants should also avoid including personal information such as names, school names, or ages on the poster.
Do participants under 18 need parental permission?
Yes. Participants under 18 must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian to participate.
How many posters will be shortlisted?
A screening committee will select 15 posters from each age category, resulting in 60 shortlisted posters in total.
What do winners receive?
Winners will receive international recognition, a Certificate of Recognition, and a surprise gift bag. Winning entries will also be promoted through FAO offices and social media platforms.
What is the deadline for the FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2026?
The deadline is November 6, 2026.
