Pakistan: The Citizen Storyteller Award 2024 is accepting video entries

Besides recognition for their impactful storytelling and a platform to amplify the voices of those affected by humanitarian crises, the top three winners will receive the following prize money:

• 1st prize: PKR 150,000

• 2nd prize: PKR 130,000

• 3rd prize: PKR 100,000

To apply for the award, please fill out the Google Form below, where you will be asked to add an open link to your video submission.

Click here to submit your entry

The contest is open to video-based entries until 1 July 2024, on the following themes:

Climate crisis in Pakistan: Impact on vulnerable communities

The climate crisis poses a significant challenge to Pakistan, worsening existing vulnerabilities and disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Citizen journalists are urged to investigate and uncover stories illustrating the direct consequences of extreme weather events, like floods, droughts and heatwaves, especially on already disadvantaged rural communities such as farmers, fishermen and slum residents. Submissions should examine the indirect repercussions of climate change on livelihoods, food security, public health and displacement, particularly among marginalized groups like women, children and ethnic minorities. Entries may also highlight narratives of community resilience, indigenous practices and rural initiatives promoting environmental conservation and combating climate change.

The power of volunteerism in disasters

In times of disaster and humanitarian emergencies, volunteerism emerges as a powerful force for resilience and community support. This topic calls upon citizen journalists to explore and highlight the invaluable contributions of volunteers in natural or man-made disaster response and recovery efforts across Pakistan. Applicants are encouraged to investigate stories showcasing the selfless actions of volunteers, both individuals and organizations, who play a crucial role in providing immediate assistance, shelter, medical aid and emotional support to affected communities. Submissions should also delve into the diverse forms of volunteerism, including grassroots initiatives, community-led responses and collaboration with government and humanitarian agencies.

Healing Pakistan: Unveiling primary health-care challenges

Access to quality health care remains a pressing concern in Pakistan, especially in remote and violence-affected regions. Citizen journalists can delve into and document the intricate challenges within the health-care system, encompassing issues like infrastructure deficiencies, insufficient medical facilities and restricted access to vital services in remote and conflict-prone areas. Participants are encouraged to spotlight first-hand experiences of communities contending with health-care disparities, obstacles to access and their repercussions on public health outcomes. Moreover, submissions should explore various initiatives devised to tackle these challenges, including mobile clinics, telemedicine, community health worker programmes and public health awareness campaigns.

Submission criteria and guidelines

• Open to all citizen journalists based in Pakistan.
• Individuals should be 18 years or older AND hold a valid CNIC at the time of applying.
• The video must be between 5–8 minutes long.
• The content should be original and must not be previously published on any other third-party television or social media platform.
• The video should be shot in widescreen normal format (16:9 aspect ratio).
• Entries must focus on humanitarian emergencies, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, conflicts, pandemics and refugee crises.
• Entries must demonstrate a high standard of journalistic integrity, accuracy and ethical reporting.
• Multiple entries from the same individual or team are allowed.
• Entries can be in English or Urdu. In case the entry is in Urdu, the video should contain English subtitles.
• The content must not discriminate against any culture, religion, sexuality, community or gender.

By participating in the contest, the winners will be expected to comply with the following copyright terms and conditions:

• The winning participants will retain the right to be identified as the author of the video, where applicable. The ICRC will credit the winners for their submissions wherever applicable. However, all copyrights to the winning videos shall be owned exclusively by the ICRC.
• This copyright policy does not preclude winners from using their submitted videos for personal, non-commercial purposes. However, participants may not grant usage rights to any third parties without the explicit consent of the ICRC.
• The ICRC will retain the right to use and publish the winning videos in any format or medium, for any purpose deemed appropriate by the ICRC, including, but not limited to, promotional, educational and advocacy purposes, without any further compensation or notification to the participants.