The World Bank, the Cities Alliance, and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry are offering an international essay competition for youth to share experience and ideas on the topic "Shaping the City of Your Dreams". Participants between the ages of 18 and 25 may submit an essay on the following topic questions:

1) "Think about the city you live in. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for people living there?

2) What needs to be done to transform your city into the city of your dreams?

3) What could be your role, working together with your peers, in shaping the city of your dreams? Please focus on one or two points you mentioned in question 2)."


The competition is open to students and non-students alike, who are able to submit their essays and abstracts electronically in either English, French, Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese. Essays may not be longer than 10 pages (4000 words maximum), 1.5 line-spaced.

Authors of the best essays (finalists) will be invited to participate in the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) in Cape Town, South Africa. The World Bank will cover the cost of travel and accommodation for the finalists. Awards include a grand prize of US$5,000 and runner-up prizes of US$1,000


The deadline for application is March 23, 2008.

Click here for more information.


Click here to view rules and recommendations.

Click here to read about previous competitions and winners.