Kiskadee Watch has launched a creative essay competition inviting young people across Guyana to put forward ideas for securing a brighter future for the country, with cash prizes of up to $100,000 to be awarded.
Kiskadee Watch is an online news platform that was launched on June 14 this year and is headed by personnel from the now defunct Stabroek News.
The competition, being held under the theme “Invest in Guyana’s Future!”, is open to young people living in all 10 administrative regions.
Entrants will compete in two categories: those aged 15 to 17 years and 11 months, and those aged 18 to 25.
Participants are required to submit an essay of no more than 750 words expanding on the competition’s theme. Entries may address politics, society, economics, sport, business, religion, education, culture or any other subject relevant to the lives of Guyanese.
Submissions may take either a fictional or non-fictional approach, with organisers saying they are seeking creative and imaginative interpretations capable of holding readers’ attention. Entries must be previously unpublished and artificial intelligence must not be used in their preparation.
The deadline for submissions is midnight on October 31, 2026. Essays must be emailed to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), with either “Category 1” or “Category 2” stated in the subject line.
Each submission must include the author’s name, proof of age, Guyana mailing address, email address and telephone number. Entrants must also include a declaration confirming that artificial intelligence was not used to write the essay.
An experienced panel will select the three best entries in each category, with judging based on the novelty of the idea, the imaginative treatment of the theme and the quality of the writing.
Following the publication of the shortlist, Kiskadee Watch subscribers and advertisers will vote to determine the winning essay in each category.
The six finalists will have their essays published in Kiskadee Watch. The winner in each category will receive $100,000, while the second- and third-place finishers will receive $50,000 and $25,000, respectively.
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