This contest invites scientists, designers, communicators, educators, and creative individuals to create short, engaging explainer videos (maximum one minute) aimed at children aged 8–15. Participants are asked to use simple language, drawings, models, or themselves to show why healthy urban soils are key for healthy cities.

OBJECTIVES:

• raise awareness of the vital role of urban soils in making cities sustainable, green and resilient;
• communicate in simple, creative ways how soil sealing affects cities, and how desealing can transform challenges into solutions;
• highlight the role of living soils in cooling cities, absorbing water, reducing floods, storing carbon, recycling nutrients, and supporting biodiversity;
• explain how urban agriculture and composting connect soils to food, health, and well-being in cities;
• inspire children to recognize soils as a hidden infrastructure of cities that need protection, restoration and care; and
• encourage scientists and communicators to translate complex soil science into engaging, child‑friendly stories.

PARTICIPANTS

FAO’s GSP and IUSS welcome submissions from scientists, researchers, educators, designers, communicators, and creative practitioners worldwide:

• individual or group submissions are accepted;
• each participant or team may submit one original video.

REQUIREMENTS:

• the target audience is children aged 8 to 15 years old;
  
• any language is acceptable, but English subtitles must be provided;
  
• the length should be no longer than one minute;
  
• the content should be engaging, creative, scientifically accurate, and directly linked to the theme, “Healthy soils for healthy cities”;
  
• the format should be MP4 andin high resolution;
  
• participants must only create and use their own original content (such as drawings, models, narration, or video footage) to demonstrate creativity and authenticity.

SUBMISSIONS:

• The deadline for submissions is on 10 November 2025.
• Submissions must be uploaded via the ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM.
• Videos can be shared via a free file transfer service (such as Google Drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer).
• For questions: [email protected]

JURY AND PUBLIC VOTING

Jury review:

The IUSS and FAO’s GSP Selection Committee will evaluate all eligible submissions and shortlist the top ten videos based on:

• creativity and originality;
• clarity and impact for the 8–15 age group;
• alignment with the WSD 2025 key messages on urban soils and healthy cities;
• scientific accuracy; and
• technical quality.
  

Public voting:

The top ten videos will be published on FAO/GSP’s official social media platforms for online public voting. 

The number of votes (likes/shares or via a designated voting platform) will be considered in selecting the three final winners, ensuring a participatory process.

PRIZES AND RECOGNITION:

• All shortlisted participants will receive a certificate of participation and the top three winners will receive FAO publications and gadgets.
• The three winning videos will be showcased at the WSD 2025 celebration (5 December) and widely promoted on FAO, GSP and IUSS platforms.

TIMELINE:

• submission deadline on 10 November 2025;
• top ten announced on 20 November 2025;
• public voting period between 20 and 30 November 2025; and
• winners announced on 5 December 2025, during the official WSD celebration.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• The videos must be the original work of the participant(s) and be previously unpublished.
• Copyright remains with the authors and credit will be given accordingly.
• By submitting, participants consent to their video being uploaded on FAO/GSP/IUSS digital platforms.
• FAO/GSP/IUSS do not endorse the views expressed by contestants.