UNESCO invites literacy practitioners, educational institutions, civil society organisations, and government agencies worldwide to submit exemplary initiatives that support literacy in the context of an increasingly digital society.

The 2025 theme, “Promoting literacy in the digital era”, underscores the critical need to equip individuals with the skills necessary to navigate and participate in digitally driven environments. As digital technologies continue to transform communication, learning, and the world of work, literacy remains a cornerstone of personal development, civic participation, and social inclusion.

Since 1967, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have awarded over 500 innovative and impactful literacy projects globally. Every year, six prizes are awarded to individuals and organisations whose work demonstrates exceptional contribution to the advancement of literacy education.

Eligibility

Applications are open to individuals, non-governmental organisations, and public institutions engaged in literacy development. Proposals should demonstrate a measurable impact and reflect the 2025 theme, with a particular emphasis on digital competencies in literacy.

Application Process

Applicants must submit their proposals via the official online platform. Submissions must be endorsed by an eligible nominating body—either a National Commission for UNESCO or a non-governmental organisation in formal partnership with UNESCO.

Nominating entities are responsible for reviewing applications and forwarding the most compelling candidates to UNESCO. All nominations will be assessed by an independent international jury comprising five literacy experts, based on established selection criteria.

Key Dates

• 13 June 2025 (midnight, GMT+2) – Deadline for submission to nominating entities
• 27 June 2025 (midnight, GMT+2) – Deadline for nominating entities to submit final nominations to UNESCO

Award recipients will be announced during the observance of International Literacy Day on 8 September 2025.

About the Prizes

The UNESCO International Literacy Prizes aim to foster global literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning, equity, and sustainable development. Despite progress, an estimated 754 million youth and adults still lack basic literacy skills, with many more facing educational exclusion or challenges in foundational literacy and numeracy.

The six prizes awarded annually include:

• UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 awards): Supported by the Republic of Korea, this prize honours initiatives that promote literacy in mother tongues and multilingual contexts. Each laureate receives a medal, diploma, and US$20,000.
• UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards): Funded by the People’s Republic of China, this prize recognises literacy programmes targeting rural populations and out-of-school youth, particularly those leveraging technology. Each laureate receives a medal, diploma, and US$30,000.

For more information on the prizes, please visit UNESCO's website. 
For more information on the selection process follow this link.