COPEAM is partner of the 2026 Global Media Awards: “Water Bankruptcy — Every Drop Counts“, recognizing Media Excellence in Advancing Global Water Security.
As the world faces growing water scarcity, climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation, the role of media has never been more important. This global initiative calls on broadcasters, journalists, filmmakers, digital creators, students, and citizens to use the power of storytelling to raise awareness, inspire action, and place water security at the centre of public dialogue.
The Awards invite participants to transform the concept of water bankruptcy into compelling and impactful media stories capable of influencing hearts, minds, policies, and communities.
Each participant may submit up to two entries, one in each category:
- Radio
- Television
- Digital Media
Eligible submissions include documentaries, news stories, social media videos, interviews, animations, AI-generated content, and other innovative storytelling formats focused on the theme: “Water Bankruptcy – Every Drop Counts”.
Stories should highlight the causes and consequences of water bankruptcy while presenting practical solutions toward a more sustainable future.
Additional Suggested Themes
- Celebrating Diversity – promoting inclusion and appreciation of different communities.
- Respect for cultures and traditions – encouraging mutual understanding among ethnic, religious, and cultural groups.
- Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence – reducing discrimination, hate speech, and social division.
- Youth as Peacebuilders – highlighting young people leading positive change, innovation, and dialogue.
- Women in Conflict Resolution – recognizing women’s leadership in mediation, peace negotiations, and reconciliation.
- Responsible and Ethical Media – promoting journalism that prevents conflict, misinformation, and harmful stereotypes.
- Community Dialogue and Reconciliation – showcasing local initiatives that foster healing, forgiveness, and unity.
- Preventing Extremism and Violence – raising awareness about preventing radicalization, violent extremism, and hate.
- Climate, Environment, and Resource Cooperation – addressing conflicts related to land, water, food security, and environmental change.
- Technology and peacebuilding – using digital media, social platforms, AI, and innovation to strengthen understanding and social harmony.
- Countering misinformation and disinformation – promoting fact-based reporting and media literacy.
- Conflict-Sensitive Journalism – demonstrating reporting that informs without inflaming tensions.
- Building Trust in Communities – stories that strengthen relationships between citizens, institutions, and communities.
- Peace Through Education – highlighting initiatives that teach conflict resolution, civic responsibility, and dialogue.
- Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue – promoting respect, cooperation, and shared values across faiths and cultures.
- Sports for Peace and Social Cohesion – showcasing how sports unite communities and bridge differences.
- Arts, Culture, and Music for Peace – demonstrating how creative expression promotes healing and reconciliation.
- Mental Health and Healing After Conflict – exploring trauma recovery, resilience, and psychosocial support.
- Migration, Refugees, and Social Inclusion – telling stories that encourage compassion, integration, and understanding.
- Traditional and Indigenous Peacebuilding Practices – documenting local knowledge and customary approaches to conflict resolution.
- Peace in Schools and Universities – initiatives promoting non-violence, dialogue, and inclusion among students.
- Economic Inclusion and Livelihoods for Peace – demonstrating how entrepreneurship, employment, and economic opportunities contribute to stability.
- Disability Inclusion and Peacebuilding – recognizing the contributions and leadership of persons with disabilities in building peaceful societies.
- Human Rights and Social Justice – highlighting initiatives that promote dignity, equality, and justice as foundations for lasting peace.
- Cross-Border Cooperation – stories of collaboration that strengthen regional understanding and peaceful relations.
- Indigenous Knowledge and Community Resilience – preserving cultural heritage while fostering peaceful coexistence.
- Media Innovation for Peace – creative storytelling using immersive media, data journalism, virtual reality, AI, or interactive platforms.
- Everyday Peacebuilders – celebrating ordinary individuals whose actions make extraordinary contributions to peace in their communities.
These themes can inspire documentaries, investigative reports, feature stories, radio programmes, television productions, podcasts, AI-assisted productions, social media campaigns, short films, interviews, multimedia storytelling, and community journalism that contribute to conflict prevention and peaceful societies.
This initiative aims to build a global movement of media professionals committed to solutions-oriented journalism, human-centred storytelling, and meaningful public engagement around one of the defining challenges of our time.
Entries (MP3, MP4, WAV) must be submitted by WeTransfer or similar file transfer services to awards.inweh@unu.edu by September 15, 2026.
Recognition and Awards
- All participants receive an official Certificate of Participation in recognition of participation and advocacy on water security.
- Three winners in each category will receive cash prizes and international recognition for their impactful media productions.
For more details, visit: https://unu.edu/inweh/event/launch-2026-global-media-awards-water-bankruptcy-every-drop-counts