The organizing committee of the European Adventist Youth Congress 2026 (AYC26) is pleased to announce the official competition to select the opening theme song for this landmark event. Young composers, songwriters, and musical groups are invited to submit original, inspiring compositions that reflect the Congress’s central theme: “MADE FOR MORE.”
The Vision: “MADE FOR MORE”
The theme “MADE FOR MORE” encapsulates a theology of wholeness and flourishing, addressing the contemporary generation's search for purpose, integrity, and transformation. It is designed to provide a vocabulary for movement, discovery, and vocation.
The core message follows a three-stage journey of spiritual development:
Made to Belong: Emphasizing inclusion, relational identity, and the assurance of being loved.
Made to Believe: A call to faith, conviction, and unwavering trust in God.
Made to Become: A focus on mission, growth, and the realization of one’s divine calling.
This aspirational theme invites young people to step into the fullness of life as designed by the Creator—moving from identity and connection toward purpose and commissioning.
Submission Guidelines and Musical Style
The winning composition must be an inspiring, contemporary worship song suitable for a large-scale youth gathering of upwards of 3,000 attendees.
Language: Lyrics must be written in English.
Genre: Modern Praise & Worship (congregational style).
Tempo: Energetic and hopeful; compositions should be engaging rather than melancholic.
Melody: Catchy, accessible, and easily learned by a diverse international audience.
Content: Biblically grounded and strictly aligned with the “MADE FOR MORE” message.
Composition: While creative elements are encouraged, the song must remain practical for church and youth group settings.
Note on Artificial Intelligence: AI may be used for refinement, but the core creative impetus and human touch must remain central. AI should be an agent in the process, not the primary source of the work
Submission Requirements
Interested participants must submit proposals to Isaac Chía (isaac.chia@eud.adventist.org) by Thursday, April 9, 2026. Submissions must include:
Personal Information: Full name, country, age, and a brief biography.
Lyrics: Provided in .docx or .pdf format.
Musical Score: Including melody line and chord charts (.pdf).
Audio/Video Recording: A high-quality demo (MP3 or MP4) featuring vocals and accompaniment for jury evaluation.
Selection and Awards
The winning entry will be selected by the AYC26 Steering Committee, with an announcement scheduled for early May 2026.
The First Prize winner may choose between €250 or complimentary registration for AYC26. The Second Prizewinner may choose between €150 or a 50% discount on AYC26 registration. The winning composer will have their work featured on the AYC26 YouTube channel and will witness their song being performed by thousands of youth from across Europe.
Copyright and Adjustments
Participants agree to collaborate with the AYC26 music team for necessary adjustments (e.g., key transposition or rhythmic simplification). Copyright will be held by the Inter-European and Trans-European Divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though the author will receive full attribution.
For further information, please visit aycongress.org.
