ADRA Europe, in coordination with the Inter-European and Trans-European Divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Art Contest, “Hear me. See me. Walk with me.” Official entries open on 1 February 2026.
This initiative provides a platform for children and young adults to serve as advocates for displaced persons through creative expression. The program concludes with an awards ceremony on World Refugee Sabbath, 20 June 2026.
Contest Theme and Vision
The 2026 theme, “Home / Shelter – A Place to Belong,” encourages participants to explore the concepts of safety, hospitality, and community. The contest seeks to highlight how individuals and communities foster environments where everyone feels valued and protected.
Submissions may explore subjects such as: Systems of safety and mutual support; The aesthetics of shared community spaces; Symbolic representations of "home" in nature or culture; Themes of hope, new beginnings, and peaceful coexistence.
Participation Categories
The contest is open to participants globally within the following age groups:
Group 1: 5–9 years; Group 2: 10–14 years; Group 3: 15–18 years; Group 4: 19–25 years
Submission Guidelines
Medium: Two-dimensional artworks only (paintings, drawings, or mixed-media collages).
Originality: Works must be original. Artworks generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.
Format: Digital submission of a high-quality photograph of the physical artwork via the official website.
Usage Rights: By submitting, participants grant ADRA the right to use the artwork for organizational communication (online and offline) with appropriate attribution.
Timeline and Selection Process
Opening Date: 1 February 2026.
Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026.
Jury Review: An international panel will select finalists for public consideration.
Public Voting: Commencing in April 2026 via ADRA Europe’s social media channels.
Awards Ceremony: Winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony on 20 June 2026.
All participants will receive a certificate of participation; category winners will receive prizes.
Resources for Educators and Parents
ADRA Europe prioritizes the wellbeing and privacy of all participants. Educators and parents are encouraged to focus on the imaginative and symbolic aspects of the theme rather than personal biographies.
Safeguarding: Participants are not required to share personal histories or depict their actual residences.
Educational Materials: Age-appropriate prompts and safeguarding guidelines are available for download [here].
Supplementary Learning: For technical data and educational modules regarding refugees and migration, we recommend the UNHCR resource portal for age groups 6–18 [link].
The Mission Context
This contest aligns with ADRA’s core values of compassion, justice, and hospitality. Currently, millions of individuals are classified as refugees—those forced to cross international borders due to conflict, persecution, or climate disasters. According to the UNHCR, there are over 110 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. This contest aims to foster empathy for these populations by focusing on the universal human need for dignity and a sense of belonging.
Contact Information:
For further inquiries, please contact Ausenda Martins: advocacy@adra.eu
For more information, please go here.
