Since 1967, UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have rewarded excellence and innovation in the field of literacy. 512 projects and programmes undertaken by governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world have been recognized. Through these prestigious Prizes, UNESCO seeks to support effective literacy practices and encourages the promotion of dynamic literate societies.
Currently there are two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes:
- The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 awards)
Established in 1989, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, it gives special consideration to mother language-based literacy development.
Each prize winner receives a medal, a diploma and US$20.000.
– Read the statutes.
- The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards)
Established in 2005, with the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, it gives special consideration functional literacy, leveraging technological environments, in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth.
Each prize winner receives a medal, a diploma and US$30.000.
– Read the statutes.
Application and nomination process
The nomination process will take place via an online platform. Candidates are first invited to submit their applications to their National Commissions for UNESCO, by completing the online form available through this link: https://unes.co/ilp-account. National Commissions for UNESCO will then select up to three nominees for each Prize to represent their country in 2025, and transmit these nominations, in English or French, by 27 June 2025 at the very latest.
