BacharLorai Global, an international nonprofit enabling development worldwide, recently announced the launch of their Youth Voices Essay competition. This year’s theme, reconciliation, invites students from Bangladesh to explore Indigenous peoples’ role in building an inclusive democracy.
The competition, open to students aged 11-14 nation-wide, challenges young minds to design innovative projects that strengthen Indigenous communities’ voices in Bangladesh’s political landscape. With more than 54 Indigenous groups speaking around 35 unique languages across the country, the initiative addresses critical gaps in political representation, land rights, and cultural preservation.
“This is an unprecedented time in the history of our nation, bringing with it an opportunity to rebuild our very own ways of thinking. By inviting our youth to reimagine Indigenous political participation, we aim to cultivate the social capital necessary for a more equitable and sustainable democracy in Bangladesh.”- Aditi Zahir, Director of Policy Research
Students are invited to respond to the prompt: “If you were designing a project to give Indigenous communities a stronger voice in politics, what would it look like?” Submissions may envision school clubs, digital campaigns, festivals, new organizations, or entirely original concepts that demonstrate understanding of Indigenous challenges while offering creative, realistic solutions.
The competition features a distinguished panel of judges including Pavel Partha (Director, Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge), Pallab Chakma (Co-Chair of the International Land Coalition and Executive Director of Kapaeeng Foundation), and Probin Tripura (Senior Assistant Director at the Institute of Informatics and Development and Coordinator of Youth for Policy). Their combined expertise in Indigenous rights, climate justice, and youth advocacy ensures entries will be evaluated with both rigor and deep understanding of community needs.
“People from the mainstream community often lack proper knowledge about the cultures, languages, traditions, and food habits of Indigenous peoples, which leads to misconceptions, especially in this era of misinformation where they are often portrayed inaccurately. I believe this competition will help break those misconceptions among youth and children and contribute to building a more inclusive society.”– Probin Tripura
Prize amounts of 25,000 BDT (first place), 10,000 BDT (second place), and 5,000 BDT (third place) will be awarded, with honorable mentions also recognized. Winners will be announced February 28, 2026, followed by an award ceremony in early March.
The initiative directly supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and climate action (SDG 13), while addressing critical issues Indigenous communities face including land dispossession, limited political representation, and barriers to mother-tongue education.
“I am incredibly proud to be working with Bacharlorai to bring a project of this importance to life; one that invites students to engage with long-overlooked issues surrounding representation and civic voice. At such a foundational stage of learning, instilling curiosity and awareness now will shape more informed, compassionate leaders, and although this is only our first year, I truly believe this initiative will create lasting impact for years to come.” – Rubaina Farin, Manager
Essays between 500-1,000 words must be submitted by February 7, 2026, through BacharLorai’s online portal at bacharlorai.com/youth-voices.
