2026 IKU Solutions Challenge
See the Challenge. Design the Change.
Young people experience the challenges facing their communities in ways adults may overlook. They see what happens in their schools, neighborhoods, cities, and countries. They also bring fresh perspectives that can lead to new solutions.
The 2026 IKU Solutions Challenge invites students from around the world to identify an important social challenge in their own country and propose an original solution.
The challenge may involve education, health, poverty, inequality, environmental protection, public safety, technology, accessibility, cultural preservation, youth well-being, or any other issue affecting people and communities.
Students are not expected to solve an entire national problem alone. Instead, they are encouraged to study one challenge carefully, understand the people affected by it, and present a thoughtful solution that could create meaningful change.
There is no fee to participate.
2026 Competition Theme
One Country. One Challenge. One New Solution.
Choose a social challenge that affects your own country.
Your submission should answer the following questions:
- What is the challenge?
- Where and how does it occur?
- Who is most affected by it?
- Why does the challenge continue?
- What solution do you propose?
- What positive results could it create?
The strongest submissions will demonstrate both imagination and careful thinking. A creative idea is important, but participants should also explain how their solution could work in the real world.
Submission Categories
Participants may enter one of two categories.
Category 1: Written Solution Proposal
The Written Solution Proposal allows students to explain a social challenge and present their solution in essay or proposal form.
Submissions should include:
- a clear description of the selected challenge;
- information about the country or community in which it occurs;
- an explanation of who is affected;
- possible causes of the problem;
- the student’s proposed solution;
- an explanation of what makes the solution original;
- a basic implementation plan;
- the expected benefits or impact;
- possible difficulties and how they could be addressed.
Students may use research, statistics, interviews, personal observations, or examples to support their ideas. All outside information must be properly credited.
Recommended length: No limit
Accepted file formats: MS Word
Category 2: Social Innovation Poster
The Social Innovation Poster category allows students to communicate a social challenge and their proposed solution visually.
Posters may use:
- original drawings;
- illustrations;
- diagrams;
- infographics;
- digital artwork;
- charts;
- maps;
- photographs taken by the participant;
- combinations of text and visual elements.
Each poster must be accompanied by a written explanation (no length requirement). The explanation should describe the challenge, the solution, and the message of the poster.
Accepted file formats: JPG, PDF
Eligibility
The 2026 IKU Youth Solutions Challenge is open to students in:
- primary school;
- middle school;
- high school;
- undergraduate.
Students from any country may participate.
Students may participate as individuals or in teams of up to four students.
There is no entry fee.
Submissions will be evaluated according to five criteria.
- Understanding of the Challenge
- Originality of the Solution
- Feasibility
- Potential for Positive Impact
- Clarity and Presentation
Recognition and Awards
Main Awards
- IKU Gold
- IKU Silver
- IKU Bronze
Special Recognition Awards
- IKU Local Insight Award
- IKU Innovation Award
- IKU Practical Impact Award
- IKU Communication Excellence Award
All awards are honorary. There are no cash awards or material prizes.
Award recipients will receive an electronic certificate from IKU. Selected winners may also be featured on IKU’s website, social media channels, publications, or future youth programs.
Originality
All submissions must be the original work of the participating student or team.
Generative artificial intelligence may not be used to create the central idea, written content, illustrations, or design of the submission.
All research sources, statistics, quotations, photographs, and other outside materials must be properly acknowledged.
Language
Submissions may be created in any language.
When a submission is not in English, the participant must also provide an English translation.
For poster submissions, the English translation may be provided:
- directly on the poster;
- on a separate translated version of the poster; or
- in an accompanying document.
How to Enter
The submission email must include:
- Participant’s full legal name
- Age
- Current grade or year level
- School name
- City and country
- Email address
- Submission category
- Competition division
- Title of the submission
- Attached submission file
- English translation, when required
For team entries, the information above must be provided for every team member.
All submissions must be emailed to: competition@internationalkabataanunion.org
Important Dates
- Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026 (USA EST)
- Winners Notified: October 2026
All winners will be contacted through the email address provided with the submission.
Judging and Final Decisions
Entries will be reviewed by judges selected by IKU.
IKU will make reasonable efforts to conduct the judging process fairly and consistently. All judging decisions are final.
Submitting an entry does not guarantee an award.
Use of Submitted Work
By entering the competition, participants grant IKU permission to display, reproduce, publish, translate, or share the submission for noncommercial educational and promotional purposes related to the competition and IKU’s youth programs.