Deadline: 24-Oct-2025
The United Nations University has launched its Video Pitch Contest that celebrates collective action and capacity-building for urban transformation, connecting with the spirit of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 30), hosted under the Brazilian Presidency.
This initiative is led by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), the World Resources Institute – Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities (WRI), and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), in collaboration with the Paris Committee on Capacity-building and supported by the International Climate Initiative of the German Government.
It is about creating a chain of action that links neighbourhood initiatives to city plans, city plans to national strategies and national strategies to shared global goals. Capacity-building is key in supporting and driving these transformations. Whether it happens through peer-to-peer learning, community education learning by doing when planting, painting or taking part in other local initiatives, capacity-building develops the competencies people need to shape their own cities.
Awards will recognize the best entries with cash prizes of USD 800 for the first-place winner, USD 500 for second place, and USD 300 for third place. The top videos will be showcased at the 7th Capacity-building Hub during COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, and winners will also receive exclusive access to an online training on Transformative Communication to enhance the impact of their initiatives.
The video pitch contest is open to everyone, regardless of country of residence or skill level. For minors to participate, they must provide written permission from their legal guardian(s), and no minor’s participation will be accepted without this permission. By submitting videos, stories, and related information through the Transformative Urban Coalitions website, participants agree to the terms and conditions in full. Non-compliance with these conditions will result in disqualification. Participation is strictly personal, and entrants cannot submit entries on behalf of another person.
The competition requires participants to submit a video pitch and a short written story of 100–150 words. Videos must be no longer than 60 seconds, include English subtitles or a transcript, and reflect authentic initiatives with only minor editing permitted.
Each video must highlight the spirit of the Global Mutirão, showing the collective effort that connects local action to national strategies and ultimately to global climate goals. The videos should demonstrate capacity-building efforts that inspire others and explain how they contribute to equitable and climate-resilient urban transformation.
Videos must not contain any elements that are defamatory, offensive, pornographic, racist, insulting, unlawful, or contrary to good morals. Watermarks, signatures, names, or copyright notices are not permitted in the video.
Submissions must be made through the Transformative Urban Coalitions website before 23:59 CEST on 24 October 2025.
For more information, visit United Nations University.
