CICA Essay Contest 2025 is now open, offering a fully funded opportunity for young writers to showcase their ideas and win an all-expenses-paid trip to Baku, Azerbaijan. Organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan with support from the CICA Secretariat, this prestigious international essay competition invites participants aged 18 to 30 to share their thoughts on pressing global issues. The winners will be honoured at an exclusive awarding ceremony and enjoy a cultural sightseeing tour in Baku in October 2025. No IELTS or application fee is required, making it accessible to a wide range of talented youth worldwide.
This is more than just an essay contest—it’s a gateway to international recognition, cross-cultural exchange, and impactful dialogue among young leaders. The CICA International Essay Competition 2025 empowers youth to voice their perspectives while connecting with peers from across the globe. Whether you’re a student, aspiring diplomat, or passionate writer, this contest is your chance to shine on an international stage. Learn more about the essay theme, eligibility criteria, financial coverage, and how to apply below.
Essay Contest Summary
- Host Country: Azerbaijan
- Location: Baku
- Duration: 3 Days
- Dates: October 2025
- Benefits: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 15 July 2025
Financial Benefits
The Program Covers:
- Round-trip Economy-Class Airfare to Baku.
- 3 Nights’ Accommodation in Baku.
- Airport Transfers to/from the Hotel in Baku.
- Free Sightseeing Tour of Baku.
- Certificate by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Essay Topic
- Theme: Youth as Catalysts for Peace, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development in the CICA Region.
- Relevance: The theme is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, justice, and strong institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals).
Your essay should offer Innovative perspectives and solutions for global challenges, such as climate change, energy security, and economic development.
Explore how young people can play a crucial role in building mutual trust among CICA Member States regarding these issues.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility: Participants must be between 18 and 30 years old
- A Citizen of one of the above countries.
- Submission Requirements:
- Each participant may submit only one essay.
- A brief biography of the author must accompany the essay.
- Essays must not include the author’s name.
Requirements and Format of the Essay
- Language: Essays must be written in English.
- Format: Submit your essay as a PDF file.
- Bibliography: Include a bibliography at the end, listing all sources consulted or cited using a standard citation format.
- Font: Use Arial, size 14.
- Line Spacing: Set line spacing to 1.3 cm.
- Margins: Apply 2 cm margins on all sides.
- Page Numbering: Number pages in the lower right corner.
- Word Count: Essays should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words, excluding the bibliography.
- Originality: Your essay must be free from plagiarism and not infringe on any third-party rights.
Eligible Countries
- Afghanistan
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- China
- Egypt
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Mongolia
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- Russia
- Sri Lanka
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
Timeline
- The contest results will be announced in September 2025.
- You can find the results in the “Events” section of the CICA website (http://www.s-cica.org/)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This contest invites 18–30 year-olds from CICA Member States to submit a 1,500–2,000‑word essay in English, PDF format by 15 July 2025. Top essays earn a fully funded October trip to Baku. Results in September, judged anonymously by a multilingual panel.
What is the CICA Essay Contest 2025?
It’s an international writing competition for youth from CICA Member States focused on the theme “Youth as Catalysts for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development in the CICA Region”. Essays must be in English, 1,500–2,000 words, and follow formatting rules.
Who is eligible to enter?
The contest is open to young people aged 18–30 from CICA Member States. Each participant can submit one original essay in English, in PDF format, and must include a short author biography, but keep their name off the text itself.
What is the submission deadline?
Essays must be emailed by 15 July 2025 to both official contest addresses. Late or non-compliant entries will be disqualified, so make sure your submission meets all requirements before the cutoff date.
How should my essay be formatted?
Use Arial font size 14, line spacing of 1.3 cm, 2 cm margins on all sides, and pages numbered in the lower right. Essays should be 1,500–2,000 words in English and submitted as a PDF with a bibliography at the end.
What scoring criteria are used?
Essays are judged on four equal-weight criteria: full coverage of the theme, creativity and originality, logical structure and language, and depth of concept and message, with a total possible score of 100.
How will winners be chosen?
A two-stage process is used: initial screening for rules compliance, then anonymised review by a jury from member states and the Secretariat. The top three essays with the highest scores earn first, second, and third prizes.
What is the prize?
The top three winners receive a fully funded three-day trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, in October 2025. It includes economy round-trip airfare, three-night accommodation, airport transfers, and a sightseeing tour during the awarding ceremony.
When will the results be announced?
Winners will be notified by September 2025. Results will be published on the Ministry of Youth and Sports site, in the CICA website’s announcements section, and shared via official social media channels.
Who organises and supports this contest?
The contest is organised by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports in cooperation with the CICA Secretariat. It aligns with CICA’s focus on youth engagement for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development under its 2024–2026 Chairmanship.
Can submitted essays be used by the organisers?
Yes. The CICA Secretariat reserves the right to publish and promote submitted essays on its website and social media to boost visibility, so participants should ensure originality and avoid infringing on third-party rights.
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