HART Prize

Open 16 March - 15 May 2026

The competition is free to enter and runs from Monday 16 March to Friday 15 May 2026.

We’re looking for clear and thoughtful submissions about a forgotten conflict or human rights issue that does not have mainstream attention.

Who Can Enter

The HART Prize 2026 consists of three categories:

Creative (ages 11-25): Bring stories of forgotten conflicts to life. Use painting, poetry, sculpture, collage, or a 60-second film to highlight places ignored by the media.

Essay (ages 11-25): Submit a compelling piece exploring a forgotten conflict. We seek entries demonstrating deep understanding, clarity and empathy. Maximum 1000 words.

Journalism (Nigeria): Calling frontline journalists who live and work in Nigeria. Submit an article or blog post about a hidden crisis. We maintain an urgent focus on the Middle Belt.

Enter Here

Maria, Nagorno Karabakh

Evelyn Elizabeth, Hong Kong

Annabelle, United Kingdom

Last year's results

Spotlight a forgotten conflict or human rights issue that does not have mainstream attention.

Your entry (including photos of creative pieces) must be included in this form. We cannot accept physical entries.

Prizes will be announced on social media after the closing date. Due to the number of entries received, we’re unable to give individual feedback.

Read the Terms & Conditions. Contact prize@hart-uk.org if you require any accessibility assistance or support.

HART Prize Application Form

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Choose your category

Creative
Open to anyone aged 11-25. Produce a creative piece of work about a forgotten conflict. Focus on places ignored by the international media. Whether it’s a painting, poem, sculpture, collage or one-minute film, use your imagination to bring stories to life.

Essay
Open to anyone aged 11-25. Submit an essay about a forgotten conflict. Focus on communities who face the most profound forms of disadvantage. Your entry will be judged on the depth of your understanding and ability to tell a story with clarity and empathy (1,000-word limit, excluding footnotes and references).

Journalism
Open to journalists, aged 18 and above, who live and work in Nigeria. You report important human rights issues that do not get mainstream attention. We are particularly interested to receive an original article or blog post about escalating intercommunal violence in the Middle Belt (800-word limit, excluding footnotes and references).

If you are human, leave this field blank.

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HART Prize 2026

Who Can Enter

Previous Winners

Maria, Nagorno Karabakh

Evelyn Elizabeth, Hong Kong

Annabelle, United Kingdom

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