Project Groundswell 2025

Project Groundswell 2025 is a groundbreaking photography contest that seeks to spotlight global efforts to combat climate change. Organized by a consortium of leading European photography institutions—including Fotohof, Photo Museum Ireland, Cortona On The Move, and Imago Lisboa—this competition invites lens-based artists to submit projects that document or interpret climate action initiatives. Whether through documentary, conceptual, or experimental approaches, participants are encouraged to explore themes like carbon reduction, biodiversity promotion, circular economies, and climate justice.

The contest offers substantial rewards, including €5,000 for each of the four overall winners, museum-quality exhibitions, and a published photobook. Twelve finalists will also receive €1,000, mentoring, and inclusion in projection events across Europe. Submissions are open to photographers and artists based in Europe, with no restrictions on nationality, as long as they are 18 or older. The deadline for entries is April 30, 2025, with winners announced in August.

What sets Project Groundswell 2025 apart is its focus on actionable climate solutions rather than merely documenting the effects of climate change. This makes it one of the best photo contests for artists seeking to merge creativity with advocacy.

The Project Groundswell 2025 Prizes

The competition’s prizes are designed to support artists while amplifying their work on a global stage:

• Four Overall Winners:
  • €5,000 fee.
  • Museum-quality printing and framing for a touring exhibition across Fotohof, Photo Museum Ireland, Cortona On The Move, and Imago Lisboa.
  • Publication of a monograph photobook with a critical essay.
  • Travel and accommodation support (up to €800) to attend two exhibitions.
  • One set of exhibition prints retained by the artist; another archived at Fotohof.
• Twelve Finalists:
  • €1,000 fee.
  • Mentoring to develop their work into an audio-visual piece.
  • Inclusion in premiere projection events and promotion on partner platforms.
  • Opportunity to be selected as one of the four overall winners.

These rewards not only provide financial support but also ensure significant exposure for winning projects, making this one of the most prestigious opportunities for photographers focused on climate action.

Categories of Project Groundswell 2025

The contest does not divide submissions into categories but welcomes a wide range of approaches:

• Photo Projects: 8–15 images per project.
• Video Projects: 8–15 stills and a 3-minute video extract.

Projects can be completed or in progress, but they must align with the theme of climate action. AI-generated images are prohibited unless explicitly investigating AI as a subject.

Project Groundswell 2025 Dates and Entry Fees

Key Dates:

• Submissions Open: February 18, 2025.
• Submissions Close: April 30, 2025.
• Finalists Announced: May 30, 2025.
• Winners Announced: August 2025.

Costs:

• Entry Fee: Free.

Why Enter Project Groundswell 2025?

This contest is ideal for photographers and artists who want to use their craft to drive meaningful change. By focusing on climate action, Project Groundswell 2025 offers a platform to highlight innovative solutions and inspire broader societal engagement. The substantial prizes, combined with exhibition opportunities and professional mentoring, make it a standout among free photography contests.

For European-based artists, this is a chance to gain international recognition while contributing to a critical global conversation. The contest’s emphasis on ethical practices and authentic storytelling ensures that submissions resonate with both artistic and environmental integrity.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the Project Groundswell 2025 competition has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest, we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.

Submission Rules

1. Eligibility:
   • Open to artists of any nationality based in Europe, including EU member states and additional countries such as the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
   • Participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.
   • Collectives and collaborations are welcome but must nominate a single representative.
2. Project Requirements:
   • Submissions must focus on climate action, such as carbon reduction, biodiversity promotion, or climate justice. Projects merely documenting the effects of climate change are ineligible.
   • Each entrant can submit up to two projects, with 8–15 images or video stills per project.
   • Video projects must include a 3-minute extract linked in the project description.
3. Image Authenticity:
   • AI-generated images are prohibited unless the project explicitly investigates AI as a subject, with clear disclosure in the description.
   • Minor edits (cropping, color adjustments) are allowed, but images must remain faithful to the original scene.
4. Project Status:
   • Projects can be completed or in progress. However, completed works must not have been exhibited as solo shows in major galleries or museums or published as books before 2025–2026.
5. File Specifications:
   • Images must be submitted as high-resolution JPEGs or PNGs, with a minimum size of 1500 pixels on the longest side.
   • Video stills should accompany a link to a 3-minute extract hosted on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.
6. Project Description:
   • A concise description (max 2,500 characters) is required, outlining the climate action focus, approach, and timeline for completion (if applicable).

Ethical Guidelines

1. Climate Action Focus:
   • Submissions must highlight actionable efforts to combat climate change, such as community initiatives, policy changes, or technological innovations.
2. Environmental and Social Responsibility:
   • Projects must not harm subjects, environments, or communities. Any evidence of unethical practices (e.g., baiting, habitat disruption) will result in disqualification.
3. Human Subjects:
   • Photographers must obtain consent from individuals featured in their work, especially minors.

Copyright and Usage Rights

1. Artist Ownership:
   • Participants retain full copyright of their submitted work.
2. Non-Exclusive License:
   • By entering, artists grant Project Groundswell and its partners a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use their work for:
     • Promoting the competition.
     • Exhibiting the work in physical and digital formats.
     • Publishing the work in photobooks, websites, and social media.
3. Media and Third-Party Use:
   • Media outlets may reproduce winning and shortlisted images to promote the competition, with credit to the artist.
   • Third parties must seek explicit permission from the artist for any other use.
4. Exhibition Prints:
   • Two sets of exhibition prints will be produced for overall winners: one for the artist and one for the Fotohof Archive.

Judging and Disqualification

1. Judging Criteria:
   • Relevance to climate action.
   • Innovation and creativity in approach.
   • Potential to engage audiences and inspire dialogue.
   • Feasibility within the competition’s timeframe.
2. Disqualification:
   • Entries violating submission rules, ethical guidelines, or copyright terms will be disqualified at any stage.

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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.