As small island developing states on the front lines of accelerating climate change, the Caribbean region has long faced existential threats from rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecosystem degradation. Now, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) is turning to young people to reimagine what a sustainable, climate-resilient future could look like for the region, launching a new youth-focused short story competition on July 27, 2026.
Open exclusively to nationals of Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states between the ages of 18 and 25, the competition invites emerging writers to craft original short stories centered on a deliberate, evocative prompt: “Imagine a climate-secure future for the world. Inspired by the Caribbean.” Unlike traditional climate action initiatives that prioritize technical policy and scientific data, this competition centers narrative and creative vision as core tools for driving climate engagement.
Danelle De Coteau Campbell, Lead Communications Specialist at CCCCC, emphasized the unique value of creative storytelling in climate discourse. “The future of climate action will be shaped not only by data and science but also by the stories we tell and the ideas we inspire,” Campbell explained. “Through this competition, we are inviting young people to imagine a climate-secure Caribbean and commit to protecting our culture, our people and our homes. This is our way of handing them the pen to shape that vision. We are excited to see how participants will bring their ideas to life, and in doing so, spark meaningful conversations about the shared future we all build together.”
The storytelling competition is a core component of CCCCC’s broader regional strategy to center youth as active, leading voices in the Caribbean’s collective climate response. Beyond showcasing young creative talent, the initiative also aims to broaden public understanding of the unique climate challenges facing Caribbean communities and elevate homegrown, Caribbean-led solutions that address local needs.
To enter, participants must submit an original, previously unpublished short story between 1,500 and 2,500 words through the official competition portal hosted on CCCCC’s website, caribbeanclimate.org. The competition strictly prohibits AI-generated submissions, requiring all entries to be fully original works created by the entrant.
Prizes for top entries include a MacBook Neo for first place, with additional awards granted to second and third place finalists. Full entry guidelines, eligibility details, and submission instructions are available to the public on the CCCCC website.
The launch of this creative competition marks a new approach to youth climate engagement, framing imagination as a critical catalyst for action in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.