LocationsDigital Art Contest Among Youth: In Commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October
To overcome the shared challenge of #poverty, we urge everyone to take action together!
October 7, 2025
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan
Poverty is not only the lack of income or material resources; it is a complex reality that affects every dimension of human life. It manifests in visible deprivations such as food insecurity, inadequate housing, or limited access to education and healthcare, but it also encompasses hidden dimensions that are less easily recognized—shame, exclusion, discrimination, and the loss of dignity. In Uzbekistan, a national Multidimensional Poverty Index (n-MPI) pilot found that about 18.4% of the adult population(around 4.2 million people) are multidimensionally poor, facing simultaneous deprivations in areas such as education, food security, and informal employment.
In 2025, as the world moves closer to the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is clear that poverty remains one of the most pressing and interconnected challenges of our time. Individuals and families living in poverty often endure not only material hardship but also emotional and psychological suffering: constant uncertainty about the future, stress over scarce resources, and feelings of rejection or invisibility within society.
At the same time, creativity and art offer powerful ways to shed light on these realities. Art can raise awareness and speak of poverty without the need for words—conveying emotions that are difficult to express, challenging stereotypes, and making visible the human stories behind abstract numbers. Through color, form, and imagination, art can reveal both the pain of exclusion and the resilience of those who endure it, inspiring empathy and solidarity across communities. In a context where statistics often dominate the conversation, art can humanize the numbers and bring voices from the margins into the center of public dialogue.
Addressing poverty therefore requires more than providing material resources—it demands recognition of the full dignity, creativity, and voice of every individual. Only through inclusive and empathetic approaches can societies work toward the SDGs and ensure that no one is left behind.
Acting together for just, peaceful, and inclusive societies
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) plays a crucial role in addressing poverty in Uzbekistan by implementing sustainable development programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality. Through various initiatives, UNDP supports marginalized communities, enhances access to essential resources, and strengthens local capacities to improve livelihoods. By working closely with the government and other partners, UNDP helps to build resilient communities, foster economic opportunities, and ensure that those affected by poverty are included in development processes, ultimately contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1—ending poverty in all its forms.
Empowering Creative Youth: Digital Art Contest for Poverty Awareness
The Digital Art Contest organized by the UNDP Uzbekistan aims to foster social responsibility among young people, encouraging them to participate in addressing key issues related to poverty and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This contest provides a platform for youth to creatively express their perspectives on the hidden dimensions of poverty and its broader implications. By engaging young people in artistic exploration, the competition promotes values of inclusion, empathy, and awareness while educating participants from diverse backgrounds on the social and economic challenges faced by marginalized communities.
UNDP recognizes that Poverty persists due to unjust systems, structural discrimination, and exploitative economic practices. Achieving freedom from the poverty trap requires including those most affected in discussions and actions around poverty eradication.
Building just, peaceful, and inclusive societies requires concrete steps:
Creating opportunities for people who have experienced poverty to share their insights and ensuring that their knowledge is valued and respected.
Supporting efforts that help individuals living in poverty regain confidence and take charge of their lives.
Acknowledging the important contributions of those affected by poverty, especially their unique understanding of the policies and practices that impact them.
The Digital Art Design contest for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty seeks to achieve the following goals:
Inspire and engage young people in Uzbekistan to creatively express their perspectives on hidden dimensions of poverty and inequality through digital art.
Raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong emphasis on SDG 1 (ending poverty) specifically on multidimensional poverty, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the shared challenge of poverty.
Utilize the artworks as powerful tools for public awareness campaigns, showcasing them in both digital platforms and physical public spaces to spark discussions and inspire action on poverty alleviation in all its forms.
Submission Guidelines and Requirements
Theme Adherence: All entries must adhere to the competition theme of addressing the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty in Uzbekistan, reflecting on Multidimensional Poverty without exception. Submissions should raise awareness and highlight the negative impacts of poverty on our society.
Age: Applicants must be between 7 and 25 years old, residing in Uzbekistan.
Registration: Submissions must be via using LINK
Paper Size and Format: The artwork must be in digital format with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch), suitable for both print and digital use (e.g., JPG, PNG, PDF). Designs must be scalable to different dimensions, including posters (A2 or A3) and digital banners. It must be submitted in digital format.
Drawing Caption: Each artwork can be accompanied by a caption, written in Uzbek, Russian, or English, not exceeding 30 words.
Submission Deadline: Submissions will be accepted until 6:00 PM, October 16, 2025.
Judging Criteria: Artwork will be evaluated based on creativity, adherence to the theme, and overall artistic expression. The decision of the judges will be final and binding.
Multiple Entries: Participants are not allowed to submit multiple entries.
Code of Conduct: Participants are expected to behave respectfully and professionally throughout the competition. Any form of disruptive behavior or misconduct will result in disqualification.
Rights and Permissions: By submitting their artwork, participants grant the organizers the right to display, reproduce, and distribute the artwork for promotional and educational purposes, with appropriate credit given to the artist.
Prizes: The nature and value of the prizes will be determined by the organizers and communicated to the participants in due course.
Disqualification: The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant who violates the rules and regulations of the competition or engages in unethical behavior, as determined at their discretion.
Legal Compliance: Participants are responsible for ensuring that their artwork complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including copyright and intellectual property rights.
Modification of Rules: The organizers reserve the right to modify, amend, or cancel any rules or regulations of the competition at their discretion, with prior notice to the participants.
Winner Selection Process:
The selection committee will carefully evaluate each submission to ensure that it complies with all competition requirements. Based on these strict criteria, the top participants will be selected as winners. Their artistic skill, creativity, and dedication to meeting the contest's standards will be formally recognized.
Winners will be contacted on 16 October and announced on 17 October on UNDP social media platforms.
Celebrate your victory on the global stage!
The winning artworks in each category will be exhibited at the UNDP Uzbekistan Country Office and presented to UN staff.
The top winners of the Digital Art Contest 2025 will receive special prizes
Should you have any questions please contact: Soro Khamidova:
soro.khamidova@undp.org
