Applications are now open for the United Nations Conference on LLDC3 Young Storytellers Fellowships.

Are you a young person between 18-35 years old from a landlocked developing country (LLDC)? The United Nations Conference on LLDC3 is looking for passionate and creative storytellers from LLDCs to submit digital content (photos or videos) showcasing the compelling stories and unique experiences of young people in these nations. A selected number of fellows will be fully funded to participate in the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Landlocked Developing Countries to be held in Kigali in June 2024.

Requirements:

This call for submissions is open to young people between the ages of 18 to 35 from the 32 landlocked developing countries: Afghanistan; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bhutan; Bolivia (Plurinational State of); Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Central African Republic; Chad; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Lesotho; North Macedonia; Malawi; Mali; Mongolia; Nepal; Niger; Paraguay; Republic of Moldova; Rwanda; South Sudan; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Uzbekistan; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.

A storyteller is anyone who can tell compelling stories. If you use social media, you are probably already telling stories with photos and videos every day! You do not need to be a professional photographer or videographer; what matters most is your ability to convey meaningful narratives through visuals. If you have a passion for storytelling and can showcase your skills through video or photography, this call is for you.

Requirements for your story: Participants must have created the entry by themselves. Entries can be videos or photos, but use your imagination to make them unique! However, all entries must follow the following specifications: Videos – 1080p resolution, no longer than 1 minute  Images – in JPG or PNG format, minimum 800 x 800 pixels.

Benefits:

Selected entrants will join the Landlinked fellowship program in the lead up to the 3rd UN Conference on LLDCs to be held in Kigali in June. Fellows will receive professional cameras, training, and mentorship to increase their storytelling skills. A select group of fellows, chosen to ensure geographical diversity, will be fully funded to exhibit their work at LLDC3 in Kigali which is set to be one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in 2024.

4 easy steps to follow:

1. Get your content ready: Your content should showcase compelling stories and unique experiences of young people in LLDCs, their challenges, triumphs, or simply the vibrant culture of the country.

2. Upload your visual on social media: Make sure to upload it between 16 February and 8 March. It could be Twitter (formerly X), Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook. You can enter on all channels; just ensure you use the same content across channels!

3. Tag the UN-OHRLLS and use the hashtag #LockedOut: This step is crucial to ensure that your submission is considered. Tag us in your post. Our channels are Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook.

4. Stay tuned: Continue to engage with the #LockedOut hashtag on social media and encourage your followers to like, share, and spread awareness about how LLDCs are #LockedOut! Lastly, keep an eye on OHRLLS’s social media accounts for notifications on selected submissions.

Selection Process: The best entries will be selected according to the quality of the storytelling (i.e. arguments, good writing, composition of the image), although the selection panel will take into particular consideration entrants whose native language is not English. All entries will be assessed by a panel of judges. The panel’s decision will be final.

Application Deadline: 8 March 2024 (EST time)