Entries Open for Competition Advocacy Contest 2026

Deadline: 24-Jan-2026

The 2026 Competition Advocacy Contest, organized by the International Competition Network (ICN) and the World Bank Group, seeks to highlight successful competition advocacy initiatives by public authorities and civil society organizations. Submissions should demonstrate measurable impact in promoting competitive markets, innovative compliance strategies, integration of competition principles in green and digital transitions, or context-specific adaptations of competition law. Entries will be evaluated based on relevance, effectiveness, creativity, and lessons learned.

Overview

The 2026 Competition Advocacy Contest is designed to showcase innovative and impactful competition advocacy initiatives.

Competition advocacy, as defined by the ICN, involves efforts to promote a competitive market environment through non-enforcement mechanisms. This includes:

• Engaging with government bodies

• Raising public awareness of competition benefits

• Identifying or removing policies that restrict competition

The contest emphasizes initiatives that produce tangible, measurable outcomes in enhancing competitive markets.

Themes and Focus Areas

The contest evaluates submissions under four thematic areas:

1. Supporting Industrial Policies and Market Design

• Advocacy that guides policymakers in creating industrial policies, subsidies, or state support measures

• Ensures interventions address genuine market failures without distorting markets or favoring incumbents

• Demonstrates positive market outcomes and economic efficiency

2. Building a Culture of Compliance

• Innovative approaches to promote adherence to competition rules

• Use of digital tools, technology-driven outreach, and creative engagement

• Partnerships with stakeholders to encourage responsible business practices

3. Integrating Competition in Green and Digital Transitions

• Advocacy aligned with sustainability and digital economy goals

• Promotes regulatory guidance, market studies, interoperability, access to inputs, and removal of barriers

• Supports entry, investment, and fair competition in emerging sectors

4. Contextualizing Competition Law and Policy

• Tailoring competition advocacy to national or regional contexts

• Reflects local market structures, institutional capacities, and development levels

• Maintains core principles of consumer welfare and economic efficiency

Eligibility

Eligible participants include:

• Public competition authorities

• Civil society organizations implementing competition advocacy initiatives

Submissions must demonstrate:

• Tangible impact on market dynamics and competition

• Innovative approaches or cooperative mechanisms

• Adaptation to local economic or institutional realities

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel and assessed on:

• Relevance of the competition issue addressed

• Success and measurable results of the advocacy activity

• Market impact and spillover effects

• Lessons learned and potential for replication

• Creativity, originality, and cooperation mechanisms used in advocacy

How to Apply

1. Prepare a detailed description of the advocacy initiative, including objectives, activities, and results.

2. Demonstrate measurable impact, such as policy changes, market improvements, or increased awareness.

3. Highlight innovation and collaboration, including use of technology or partnership models.

4. Submit the application to the ICN contest portal within the designated timeframe.

Why This Contest Matters

The Competition Advocacy Contest:

• Showcases best practices in promoting competitive markets

• Encourages innovation in policy advocacy and compliance

• Supports integration of competition principles into sustainability and digital economy strategies

• Provides a platform for learning and knowledge exchange among competition authorities and civil society

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to demonstrate tangible market impact or measurable outcomes

• Submissions lacking innovation or creativity

• Ignoring the contest themes or relevance to local economic context

• Insufficient evidence of collaboration or stakeholder engagement

Conclusion

The 2026 Competition Advocacy Contest offers a platform to recognize effective and innovative advocacy initiatives that strengthen competitive markets globally.

By highlighting successful case studies and lessons learned, the contest fosters a culture of compliance, informed policymaking, and sustainable economic development, encouraging replication of impactful strategies in diverse national and regional contexts.

For more information, visit World Bank Group.