Deadline: 21-Jun-2026
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research is inviting young people aged 18 to 25 from any country to submit original videos for the Outer Space Security Conference 2026 Youth Video Competition. Participants must create a 1 to 3 minute video explaining how technical research and space system innovations can support a more secure and sustainable outer space environment. Winners will receive a fully funded trip to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the conference on 8–9 September 2026.
Overview of the Youth Video Competition
The Outer Space Security Conference 2026 Youth Video Competition is organized by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, also known as UNIDIR.
The competition invites young people to share creative, original, and diverse perspectives on the future of outer space security. It is part of the Outer Space Security Conference 2026, which will take place on 8–9 September 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, and online.
The competition is organized in partnership with the Centre for International Governance Innovation.
Key Focus Areas
The competition focuses on youth engagement, space security, and technical innovation for a safer and more sustainable space environment.
Key focus areas include:
- Youth engagement in global space security discussions
- Creative and diverse perspectives on the future of space security
- Inclusive space governance
- Technical resilience of space systems
- Secure and sustainable use of outer space
- Innovations in space architecture
- Shared technical standards
- Cyber-resilient space systems
- Transparency designs
- Open-source monitoring frameworks
- Technical research for space security
- Sustainable space systems and responsible space use
Purpose of the Competition
The purpose of the competition is to give young people a platform to contribute ideas to global discussions on outer space security.
Participants are expected to explain how technical research, innovation, and improved space system design can help create a more secure and sustainable space environment.
The competition encourages youth voices in policy and security conversations that affect the future of space governance, satellite systems, cyber resilience, transparency, and long-term sustainability in outer space.
Competition Theme
Participants must submit a video responding to the theme of how technical research and innovations in space systems can contribute to a more secure and sustainable space environment.
The video should connect technical ideas with real space security challenges. These may include cyber threats, satellite safety, space debris, transparency, monitoring systems, responsible behaviour in space, and the need for shared standards.
Who is Eligible?
The competition is open to young people from any country.
Eligible participants must:
- Be between 18 and 25 years old
- Submit only one entry
- Create an original video
- Ensure the video is 1 to 3 minutes long
- Explain how technical research and innovation can support space security and sustainability
- Submit English closed captions if the video is not in English
The competition is open internationally and does not restrict applicants by nationality, academic background, or country of residence.
Video Requirements
Participants must submit an original video that follows the competition rules.
The video must:
- Be 1 to 3 minutes long
- Be created by the entrant
- Present an original idea or perspective
- Focus on outer space security and sustainability
- Explain the role of technical research or innovation
- Be submitted only once by each participant
- Include English closed captions if recorded in a language other than English
Videos may be submitted in any language, but accessibility through English captions is required for non-English entries.
What Topics Can the Video Cover?
Participants may explore different technical, policy, and governance-related ideas connected to space security.
Possible video topics include:
- How cyber-resilient satellites can improve space security
- Why technical standards matter for safe space operations
- How open-source monitoring can increase transparency
- How space architecture can become more secure and sustainable
- How young people can contribute to inclusive space governance
- How research can reduce risks to satellites and space systems
- How innovation can support responsible use of outer space
- How transparency tools can build trust among space actors
- How technical resilience can prevent disruption in space services
The video should be clear, focused, and easy for a general audience to understand.
Award Benefits
Winners will receive a fully funded trip to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the Outer Space Security Conference 2026 in person.
The prize includes:
- Round-trip economy airfare
- Accommodation
- Per diems
- In-person participation at the conference
- Presentation of winning videos during the conference
- Possible feature of winning videos on UNIDIR platforms
This opportunity gives winners international visibility and direct exposure to global discussions on outer space security.
Selection Criteria
Submissions will be judged based on the quality, relevance, and originality of the video.
Evaluation criteria include:
- Originality
- Creativity
- Relevance to the competition theme
- Clarity of message
- Technical quality
- Awareness of space security issues
- Thoughtful delivery
- Ability to explain technical ideas in an accessible way
A strong video should combine a clear message with a meaningful understanding of outer space security challenges.
Why It Matters
Outer space is increasingly important for communication, navigation, climate monitoring, disaster response, research, and global security.
As more countries, companies, and institutions use space-based systems, the need for secure, resilient, and sustainable space governance is growing. Technical innovation can help reduce risks, strengthen trust, improve monitoring, and protect space systems from disruption.
This competition matters because it brings young voices into discussions that will shape the future of space security. It encourages the next generation to think about how science, technology, governance, and cooperation can support peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.
How to Participate
Participants should prepare a short, original video that directly responds to the competition theme.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they are between 18 and 25 years old and can submit an original video as an individual entrant.
Only one submission is allowed per person.
Step 2: Choose a Clear Topic
Participants should choose a specific topic related to technical research, innovation, and space security.
The topic should be narrow enough to explain clearly in 1 to 3 minutes.
Step 3: Write a Simple Video Script
A strong script should explain the issue, the proposed idea, and why it matters.
The script may follow this structure:
- Introduce the space security challenge.
- Explain the technical innovation or research idea.
- Describe how it supports security and sustainability.
- End with a clear message about the future of outer space.
Step 4: Record the Video
The video should be clear, original, and easy to follow.
Participants do not need expensive production equipment, but the video should have clear audio, readable visuals, and a focused message.
Step 5: Add English Captions if Needed
Videos may be submitted in any language.
If the video is not in English, the participant must include English closed captions.
Step 6: Review the Entry Before Submission
Before submitting, participants should check that the video:
- Is between 1 and 3 minutes long
- Is original
- Addresses the competition theme
- Has clear audio and visuals
- Includes English captions if required
- Reflects awareness of outer space security issues
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Participants should avoid weak or unclear submissions.
Common mistakes include:
- Submitting a video longer than 3 minutes
- Submitting a video shorter than 1 minute
- Using non-original content
- Failing to explain the technical research or innovation clearly
- Discussing space in general without connecting it to security or sustainability
- Not including English closed captions for non-English videos
- Submitting more than one entry
- Using unclear audio or poor-quality visuals
- Presenting ideas without explaining why they matter
- Ignoring the role of inclusive governance, resilience, or responsible space use
Tips for a Strong Video
A strong video should be original, focused, and easy to understand.
Participants should:
- Start with a clear problem or question
- Explain one main idea instead of covering too many topics
- Connect technical innovation to real space security needs
- Use simple language for complex space concepts
- Show awareness of sustainability and governance issues
- Keep the video within the required time limit
- Use visuals, examples, or narration to improve clarity
- End with a strong concluding message
- Make sure audio and captions are clear
- Review the judging criteria before submission
FAQ
1. What is the UNIDIR Youth Video Competition?
The UNIDIR Youth Video Competition invites young people to submit original videos on how technical research and innovations in space systems can support a more secure and sustainable outer space environment.
2. Who can participate?
Individuals aged 18 to 25 from any country can participate.
3. How long should the video be?
The video must be between 1 and 3 minutes long.
4. Can the video be submitted in a language other than English?
Yes. Videos may be submitted in any language, but non-English videos must include English closed captions.
5. How many submissions are allowed?
Only one submission is allowed per person.
6. How will submissions be judged?
Videos will be judged on originality, creativity, relevance to the theme, clarity, technical quality, awareness of space security issues, and thoughtful delivery.
7. What do winners receive?
Winners receive a fully funded trip to Geneva, including round-trip economy airfare, accommodation, and per diems, to attend the Outer Space Security Conference 2026 in person. Their videos will be presented during the conference and may be featured on UNIDIR platforms.
Conclusion
The UNIDIR Outer Space Security Conference 2026 Youth Video Competition gives young people a global platform to share ideas on the future of secure and sustainable outer space.
By inviting original videos from participants aged 18 to 25, the competition encourages youth engagement in space security, technical innovation, inclusive governance, and responsible space use. Strong entries should be clear, creative, original, and focused on how research and innovation can help protect the space environment for future generations.
For more information, visit UNIDIR.