Deadline: 15-Jul-2026
The Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 – Palestine invites photographers and volunteers to document Palestine’s natural heritage by contributing original photographs to Wikimedia Commons. The competition promotes environmental conservation and open knowledge, with the top 15 photographs advancing to the international final and the top three entries receiving local prizes.
Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 – Palestine Overview
The Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 – Palestine is part of the global Wiki Loves Earth initiative that encourages individuals to photograph and share natural heritage sites through Wikimedia projects. The competition aims to increase freely accessible, high-quality images of Palestine’s natural landscapes, protected areas, ecosystems, and biodiversity while supporting environmental awareness and digital preservation.
By uploading photographs to Wikimedia Commons under a free license, participants contribute valuable educational resources that can be used worldwide to promote Palestine’s natural heritage.
Purpose
The competition aims to:
- Document Palestine’s natural heritage through photography.
- Promote environmental conservation and awareness.
- Increase freely licensed educational content on Wikimedia Commons.
- Preserve visual records of protected natural sites.
- Encourage public participation in documenting biodiversity.
- Showcase Palestine’s landscapes and ecosystems internationally.
- Support open knowledge and free access to educational resources.
Focus Areas
Photographs should capture eligible natural heritage sites and ecosystems in Palestine.
Eligible Natural Heritage Sites
Participants may submit photographs of:
- Biosphere reserves
- Nature reserves
- National parks
- Protected landscapes
- Conservation areas
- Natural heritage sites
Geological Features
Eligible subjects include:
- Caves
- Rock formations
- Other significant geological formations
Wetlands and Coastal Ecosystems
Photographs may feature:
- Wetlands
- Coastal habitats
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Natural aquatic ecosystems
Forests and Natural Woodlands
Eligible images include:
- Forest landscapes
- Native woodlands
- Natural vegetation
- Protected forests
Wildlife and Plant Life
Wildlife and plants are eligible when photographed as part of their natural habitats or ecosystems within eligible natural heritage sites.
Contest Benefits
Participants receive:
- The opportunity to contribute to Wikimedia Commons.
- International exposure through Wikimedia projects.
- Eligibility for local competition prizes.
- The chance to advance to the international Wiki Loves Earth final.
- Recognition for promoting Palestine’s natural heritage.
- Long-term visibility of their work through open educational resources.
Number of Winners
The competition includes:
- Top 15 photographs selected to represent Palestine in the international Wiki Loves Earth competition.
- Top 3 photographs awarded local prizes within Palestine.
Who is Eligible?
The competition is open to individuals who:
- Create or already have a Wikimedia Commons account.
- Submit original photographs that they personally captured.
- Upload photographs to Wikimedia Commons during the competition period.
- Release all submissions under an approved free license.
- Enable an active email address within their Wikimedia account preferences.
- Meet all submission requirements.
Photo Submission Requirements
Eligible submissions must:
- Be the participant’s original work.
- Be uploaded through the designated Wikimedia upload tool.
- Include the {{Wiki Loves Earth 2026|ps}} template.
- Be released under a free license.
- Include a caption and description.
- Have a minimum resolution of 2 megapixels.
- Depict eligible natural heritage sites or ecosystems.
The following are not permitted:
- Watermarks
- Excessive image manipulation
- Duplicate photographs
Standard photographic editing, such as adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color, is permitted.
Application Process
To participate:
- Create a Wikimedia Commons account if you do not already have one.
- Photograph eligible natural heritage sites in Palestine.
- Upload your photographs using the designated upload tool.
- Add the {{Wiki Loves Earth 2026|ps}} template.
- Include a caption and description.
- Ensure your email address is enabled in your Wikimedia account preferences.
How the Competition Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Create a Wikimedia Commons Account
Register for a Wikimedia Commons account if you do not already have one.
Step 2: Photograph Eligible Natural Heritage
Capture original photographs of:
- Protected areas
- National parks
- Nature reserves
- Forests
- Wetlands
- Geological formations
- Natural ecosystems
- Wildlife within eligible habitats
Step 3: Prepare Your Images
Before uploading:
- Verify image quality.
- Ensure a minimum resolution of 2 megapixels.
- Write an accurate caption and description.
- Confirm the photograph meets all competition requirements.
Step 4: Upload Your Photographs
Upload images through the official Wiki Loves Earth upload tool and include the required {{Wiki Loves Earth 2026|ps}} template.
Step 5: Release Under a Free License
Publish each image under an approved free license according to Wikimedia Commons requirements.
Step 6: Maintain Active Contact Information
Enable your email address in your Wikimedia preferences to allow organizers to contact you if necessary.
Step 7: Judging and Awards
The local jury will evaluate all eligible submissions, select the top 15 photographs for the international competition, and award local prizes to the top three entries.
Why It Matters
The Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition helps to:
- Preserve Palestine’s natural heritage through digital documentation.
- Promote biodiversity conservation.
- Expand freely accessible educational resources.
- Encourage public participation in environmental protection.
- Increase global awareness of Palestine’s natural landscapes.
- Support Wikimedia’s mission of open knowledge.
- Inspire photographers to contribute to conservation efforts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Participants should avoid:
- Uploading photographs taken by someone else.
- Adding watermarks to images.
- Excessively manipulating photographs.
- Submitting duplicate images.
- Forgetting to include the required template.
- Uploading images below 2 megapixels.
- Omitting captions or descriptions.
- Failing to activate an email address in Wikimedia account preferences.
Tips for a Strong Submission
To improve your chances of success:
- Photograph unique natural landscapes and protected areas.
- Capture high-resolution images with strong composition.
- Clearly identify the natural heritage site.
- Include informative captions and descriptions.
- Follow Wikimedia licensing requirements carefully.
- Avoid unnecessary image editing.
- Upload multiple high-quality photographs.
- Ensure your contact information is active.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can participate in the Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 – Palestine?
Anyone who creates or has a Wikimedia Commons account and submits original photographs that meet the competition requirements may participate.
2. What types of photographs are eligible?
Eligible photographs include biosphere reserves, nature reserves, national parks, protected landscapes, conservation areas, forests, wetlands, geological formations, and wildlife photographed within eligible natural habitats.
3. How many photographs advance to the international competition?
The top 15 photographs selected by the local jury will represent Palestine in the international Wiki Loves Earth final.
4. What prizes are available?
The top three photographs will receive local prizes, while the top 15 entries advance to the international competition.
5. What technical requirements must photographs meet?
Photographs must be original, have a minimum resolution of 2 megapixels, include a caption and description, be uploaded through the designated upload tool, and be released under a free license.
6. Is image editing allowed?
Yes. Standard photographic post-processing is permitted; however, excessive manipulation, watermarks, and duplicate images are not allowed.
7. Why is an active email address required?
Participants must enable an active email address in their Wikimedia account preferences so organizers can contact them regarding prizes, competition updates, or other important information.
Conclusion
The Wiki Loves Earth Photography Competition 2026 – Palestine offers photographers an opportunity to celebrate and preserve the country’s remarkable natural heritage while contributing valuable educational content to Wikimedia Commons. By documenting protected landscapes, biodiversity, geological formations, and ecosystems, participants help expand global awareness of Palestine’s environmental treasures.
Through open licensing, international recognition, and opportunities for local and global awards, the competition encourages photographers to support environmental conservation, digital preservation, and the worldwide sharing of knowledge about Palestine’s natural heritage.
For more information, visit Wikimedia Commons.