Registration is now open for the 3rd edition of the “Ideas for the Future” University Essay Competition.
Between April 1st and May 31st, Ibero-American university students will be able to submit their essays on the main socioeconomic challenges in their countries.

CAF – Development Bank of Latin America, in partnership with the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL), opens the 3rd edition of the university essay competition Ideas for the Future , which promotes the exchange and discussion of ideas that contribute to the region’s sustainable development, while also giving visibility to the region’s young talents.

In this year’s edition, young university students can write their essays on the development challenges of Latin America and the Caribbean. Here are some topics to guide you in preparing your essays:

• Challenges of reconstruction, in terms of environmental sustainability;
• Challenges to reactivate economies, ensuring macroeconomic sustainability;
• Building social protection systems for resilient and inclusive societies;
• Creation of more robust health systems;
• Challenges in terms of integration and cooperation to face future pandemics;
• Digital innovation to boost employment, education and the provision of social services.
• Role of infrastructure investment in post-COVID recovery and financing alternatives.

PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded: the best essay at national level and the three best essays at Ibero-American level. The Ibero-American winners will present their work at the CAF Annual Conference, which will take place in November 2021, receiving the following awards:

• Guillermo Perry Prize: US$3,000 (three thousand dollars)
• Second place: US$2,000 (two thousand dollars)
• Third place: US$1,000 (one thousand dollars)

Dates and criteria for participation

Registration opened on April 1st and the deadline for submitting essays is May 31st. Students between 18 and 29 years old (born strictly between December 31, 1991 and January 1, 2003) can participate in the competition. Applicants must be undergraduate and postgraduate university students in any discipline, enrolled at a university of one of the 19 countries from CAF, with a certificate of studies (regular student certificate or equivalent).

For more detailed information about the categories, formal requirements, participation and evaluation criteria, acceptance of applications and data protection, access the contest page .