The World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest, organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), provides a fantastic opportunity for photographers worldwide to contribute to raising awareness about the critical role of bees and other pollinators. With World Bee Day being celebrated annually on 20 May, this year’s contest invites participants to showcase the vital contributions of pollinators to agrifood systems, environmental sustainability, and rural livelihoods. In line with the global theme for World Bee Day 2025, “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All,” the contest encourages photographers to capture images that celebrate the intricate relationship between pollinators, biodiversity, and the food systems that sustain us.
This exciting photo contest features three distinct categories, each with its own focus, offering a chance for participants from all backgrounds to shine. The contest is looking for entries that highlight the diverse ecosystems in which pollinators operate, their habitats, and sustainable practices that ensure their protection and well-being. The winning photographs will not only earn recognition but also the possibility of being exhibited at the World Bee Day celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Furthermore, each winner will receive a certificate of recognition and exclusive FAO merchandise. Importantly, this is a free photography competition, ensuring that photographers of all levels can join in.
This year’s contest will be open from 14 March 2025 to 14 April 2025. Photographers can submit up to three photographs that align with the theme and the categories outlined. Winning entries will be announced on 20 May 2025, coinciding with World Bee Day. This is a fantastic opportunity for photographers passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability and, for those seeking photography challenges for enthusiasts, a great way to test your skills and make an impact through your work.
The World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest Prizes
The prizes for the World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest reflect the FAO’s commitment to promoting the importance of pollinators. While the contest’s focus is on raising awareness, the prizes also serve as an acknowledgment of the creativity and effort that participants put into their work. Each category will have its own winner, and the grand prizes include:
A certificate of recognition signed by the FAO, honoring the winners’ artistic achievement and contribution to the global conversation on pollinators.
FAO merchandise such as a backpack, water bottle, and notebook, perfect for those who are passionate about sustainability and pollination.
Winners also gain the opportunity to showcase their work at public exhibitions during the World Bee Day celebrations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which adds to the global exposure of their photography.
The FAO’s platform and the exhibition will provide extensive visibility, both online and at live events, for the winning images.
The Categories of the World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest
The World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest includes three distinct categories, each focusing on a different aspect of pollination and its role in food security and environmental sustainability.
General Public: This category is open to individuals aged 18 and above. Photographers are invited to submit images that reflect the relationship between pollinators, biodiversity, and agrifood systems. Photos can depict pollinators in action, their habitats, or innovative practices that support pollinator health.
Empowering Rural Women: Focused on the role of rural women in sustainable beekeeping and pollinator protection, this category is open to entrants of all ages. Submissions can feature rural women involved in beekeeping and the preservation of pollinators, highlighting their contribution to sustainable agricultural practices.
Indigenous Peoples’ Food and Knowledge Systems: This category, also open to participants of all ages, aims to showcase the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the conservation and sustainable use of pollinators. This includes beekeeping practices with indigenous bees, as well as traditional knowledge related to bees and other pollinators.
Each category provides an opportunity for photographers to showcase their understanding and creative interpretation of the theme, “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All”.
World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest Dates and Entry Fees
Key Dates
Contest Launch: 14 March 2025, 12:00 CET
Contest Deadline: 14 April 2025, 12:00 CET
Winner Announcement: 20 May 2025 (World Bee Day)
Entry Fees
There are no entry fees for the World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest. This makes it an accessible opportunity for photographers of all backgrounds to participate and showcase their work without any financial barriers.
How to Enter
Entering the World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest is simple and free. To participate, follow these steps:
Submit Your Photo: Photographs must be in JPEG format, with a resolution of at least 3000 pixels in width and a file size not exceeding 5 MB. No text or dates should be superimposed on the images.
Complete the Online Entry Form: Fill out the required details in the online form, including your name, the title and description of the photo, the location and date the photo was taken, and any other relevant information.
Provide a Description: Include a brief description of your photo and how it relates to the theme, focusing on the role of pollinators in food systems, ecosystems, and sustainability.
Why Enter the World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest?
Participating in the World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest offers a unique opportunity for photographers to contribute to a global conversation about the importance of pollinators. With World Bee Day highlighting their essential role in food security and biodiversity, photographers can play an active role in raising awareness of these issues.
Winners will gain visibility, with their photographs potentially being displayed at public exhibitions and featured on the FAO’s website and social media channels. Additionally, the certificates and FAO merchandise serve as tangible recognition of your work in promoting environmental sustainability and the importance of pollinators. If you’re looking for the best photography competitions to enter, this is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure and recognition for your passion for photography and environmental causes.
For those passionate about photography and environmental causes, this contest provides a platform to combine both. Furthermore, as a free photo contest, it allows anyone with the right message and skill to participate, regardless of their professional status.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the World Bee Day 2025 Photo Contest has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest, we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest organizers.
Rules
Participants must be the sole creator and copyright holder of the submitted work.
The contest is open to individuals aged 18 and above, and for the Empowering Rural Women and Indigenous Peoples’ Food and Knowledge Systems categories, submissions are open to participants of all ages.
Entries must be submitted in JPEG format with a minimum width of 3000 pixels and a maximum file size of 5MB.
All submitted photographs should be original and unpublished (not having been awarded in other contests before the selection of winners).
Entrants must have obtained permission from individuals in the photos (if applicable), including guardians for minors.
By entering the contest, participants grant the FAO a non-exclusive, irrevocable, free, and perpetual license to use, distribute, and display the photographs for non-commercial purposes related to FAO’s work.
Copyright and Privacy
FAO will respect participants’ copyright and will credit photographers where possible. However, it reserves the right to use the images across its global platforms to promote World Bee Day and its environmental initiatives. Photographers will retain full ownership of their works.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
