BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has opened the call for entries for the 2026 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition.

The competition aims to foster greater awareness and participation of young people in advancing the region’s goals of cooperation, integration, and socio-economic development.

The topic for the competition is: “Compare and contrast the challenges faced by the SADC founders in the 20th century against the current challenges. Which lesson(s) from the SADC Founders would you advise or adapt to address today’s regional dilemma(s)?”

Open to all tertiary-level students across SADC Member States, the competition offers attractive prizes for the top three regional winners:

• First Prize: US$2,000
• Second Prize: US$1,500
• Third Prize: US$1,000 and Certificates

The deadline for submission of entries to Ministries of Education in respective SADC Member States is January 31, 2026, while the deadline for submission to the SADC Secretariat is February 28, 2026.

SADC encourages all tertiary students, educators, parents, and academic institutions to support and participate in this initiative, empowering youth as key contributors to the region’s sustainable development and unity.