World AIDS Day Contest 2024

Get ready to make a difference! We’re excited to announce a new contest that puts (YOU)th at the front and center in the response to HIV to lead their own solutions. As we approach World AIDS Day 2024 on the 1st of December, we invite you to help us create lasting change using the assets within youth groups and community-based organizations (CBOs).

Since 2018, the 4 Youth by Youth (4YBY) team has partnered with young people, communities, and health professionals to co-create HIV prevention services that work for you. Now, we’re taking it to the next level ensuring these services don’t just work today, but continue to make an impact for years to come.

We are calling you to share your creative outlets with us! Whether you express yourself through writing, art, music, videos, storytelling, poetry, or mixed media, we want to hear your ideas on how we can make can use the assets within youth groups and CBOs to sustain 4YBY. We also want to hear your thoughts on how to make HIV self-testing (HIVST) and youth-friendly prevention services more lasting and effective for at-risk AYA.

The theme of this contest is Assets.

What are Assets? 

Assets are the skills, resources, and strengths that youth groups and CBOs already have. By using these assets, we can make programs and interventions stronger and sustainable.

We invite you to contribute your ideas and creativity to the challenge: How might we use the assets within the youth groups and CBOs to sustain 4YBY?

4YBY is a youth-driven program that created an easy and private way for young Nigerians to prevent HIV using HIVST kits.

Submit your entry via email or Google Form following the provided guidelines for image, text, or video submissions no later than November 14, 2024, at 11:59 PM WAT.

We welcome all forms of creative submissions:

• Essays
• Storytelling
• Letters
• Videos
• Artwork
• Mixed media content
• Or any other creative format that expresses your ideas.

Show us how the assets within the youth groups and community can help sustain 4YBY’s impact!

• Open to youth in Nigeria, ages 14-24.
• No previous experience is required, and youth from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.

After all submissions are received, a panel of expert judges from diverse and relevant backgrounds will review the entries.

• Relevance: How well does your idea show how youth groups and community organizations can use their strengths to keep HIVST and youth-friendly prevention services long lasting?
• Clarity: How well does your submission get your message across? Is your idea clear, interesting, and easy to understand?
• Innovation: How creative and original is your idea? Are you sharing new and exciting ways for youth groups and community organizations to sustain 4YBY?
• Feasibility:  How practical is your idea? Can your idea be easily expanded and maintained over time?

All submissions will be evaluated anonymously. Please do not include any identifying information on your entry.

The entries with the highest cumulative scores will be awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.

• Recognition on social media
• The opportunity to make an impact.
• Exposure to a global network of public health professionals.

Cash prizes for the top entries:

• 1st place: N250,000
• 2nd place: N150,000
• 3rd place: N100,000

• Launch: October 14
• Webinar: October 26
• Deadline: November 14
• Announcement: December 1

Submissions that have been submitted elsewhere, previously published, or accepted for publication are not eligible (even if revised or excerpted). This includes any appearance in print or online, such as in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, anthologies, books, websites, blogs, or social media. This rule applies regardless of print run size or circulation.

Submissions must have less than 10% AI detection.

By participating, you grant us permission to use parts or all of your submission in publications, promotional materials, social media, and other platforms related to the program.

Noncompliance will result in disqualification at any stage of the review process.

For more Inquires.  Email sustain.4yby@gmail.com, arinze@wustl.edu, lateefakeemblessing@gmail.com or  text 09090496884