Grab your camera and get inspired because the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with the Technical Committee on Youth, invites you to take part in a photo competition to shine a spotlight on some of the Island’s most iconic monuments.

This joint effort aims to strengthen youth participation, acknowledging that the responsibility for safeguarding the island’s shared heritage will ultimately rest with the next generation, who will carry it forward through their own lenses and lived experiences.

A total of ten exceptional photographs will be selected to represent the island in a special exhibition at Ledra Palace Street in Nicosia and at the European Parliament in Brussels. Among these, the two highest-scoring photographers will be invited to attend and take part in the exhibition event in Brussels.

DEADLINE: 25th August 2026

How to apply

  • Select a monument(s) from the map below featuring the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage's completed projects.
  • Visit that site and capture it through your own lens.
  • Submit your best high-quality photographs (read all submission requirements) for a chance to be featured locally and internationally

For additional support and inquiries, please write us an email at: info@culturalheritagecommittee.com

Select a Monument

Photo Submission Requirements

To ensure fairness and to guarantee that selected photographs can be printed for exhibitions in Nicosia and Brussels, all participants must follow the technical guidelines below:

  • Image Quality
    • Photos must be high‑resolution and professionally clear (no pixelation, blurriness and/or heavy filters).
    • Images should be well-lit, sharp, and show the monument clearly and artistically.
    • Both colour and black‑and‑white photographs are accepted.
  • Dimensions
    To ensure the image can be printed in large* exhibition format, submissions must meet one of the following minimums:
    • Landscape photos: 4000 × 2667 px (minimum)
    • Portrait photos: 2667 × 4000 px (minimum)

* Larger sizes are strongly encouraged.

  • File Format
    • Submit files in JPEG (.jpg) or PNG (.png).
  • File Size
    • Maximum file size: 15 MB per image (to allow easy uploading).
    • Minimum file size: 5-6 MB is recommended to maintain print quality
  • Editing
    • Basic editing (brightness, contrast, colour correction, cropping) is allowed.
    • Heavy digital manipulation (e.g., adding/removing elements, composite images) is not permitted.
    • Watermarks or signatures are not allowed on submitted files.
    • AI-generated images are not accepted.
  • Original Work
    • All images must be the participant’s own work.
    • Submissions must also avoid any sensitive content.
    • Photos must depict one of the listed monuments to be eligible.

How will the photos be evaluated?

All submitted photographs will be reviewed by a panel composed of members from the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, Technical Committee on Youth, the European Commission and UNDP based on the following criteria:

1. Artistic Quality (40%)

    • Creativity and originality of the composition
    • Strong visual impact
    • Effective use of light, colour, and framing
    • Aesthetic harmony and balance in the image

2. Relevance to the Theme (25%)

    • Clear and accurate depiction of one of the eligible cultural heritage monuments
    • Ability to highlight the monument’s character, atmosphere, or significance
    • Respectful representation of the site

3. Technical Quality (20%)

    • Sharpness, clarity, and high‑resolution quality
    • Proper exposure and focus
    • Minimal noise or distortion
    • No over‑processing or heavy digital manipulation

4. Storytelling & Interpretation (15%)

    • The photograph’s ability to convey a message, mood, or perspective
    • How well it captures the spirit or story of the monument
    • Emotional or cultural resonance

All judging will be conducted without knowing the identity of the photographer (blind review).

The selection panel will choose 10 photographs that best meet the criteria above.

Selected works will be printed and exhibited at the Ledra Palace Street in Nicosia and at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Prize

The top 10 photographs will be exhibited at Ledra Palace Street in Nicosia and later at the European Parliament in Brussels. The two highest-scoring photographers will be invited to accompany the TCCH Co-Chairs at the exhibition event in Brussels (tentatively scheduled for autumn 2026), with travel and accommodation covered as part of the prize. During the visit, the selected photographers will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the functioning of the EU and its policies and programmes in the field of cultural heritage.

This is a project of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Technical Committee on Youth, funded by the 🇪🇺European Union and implemented by the 🇺🇳United Nations Development Programme.

Submission

Gender *
Have you ever participated in intercommunal events before? *
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Data Protection, Copy Right & Use of Submitted Photographs

I confirm that I am the sole author and copyright holder of the submitted photograph(s).

I understand that I retain full copyright ownership of my work. By submitting my entry, I grant UNDP, the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, the Technical Committee on Youth and their partners (including the European Union) a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, publish and display the submitted photograph(s) for purposes related to this competition, including exhibitions, websites, social media, publications and promotional materials.

This licence is granted without time or geographic limitation unless otherwise requested.

I understand that I remain free to use my photograph(s) for my own purposes.

I accept that my photograph(s) may be credited with my name where used.

I acknowledge that my personal data will be processed solely for the purposes of administering the competition, communication with participants and related visibility activities, in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time, and request removal of my images from future use, by contacting info@culturalheritagecommittee.com, without affecting prior use.