Criteria & Rules

For those submitting photo essays / photojournalism pieces, you can submit a total of 10 photos as one package. The capture date must be after 30 July 2023 and evidenced on request.

• You must include a caption that is true and accurate, and include a description setting out what is happening in the photo, why the photo is meaningful, the behaviour observed; background story; exact location, the year the photo was taken.
• Your entry must be uploaded in JPEG format.
• The following digital adjustments are not allowed:
  • adding, moving or removing objects, people, plants etc.
  • composites
  • painting the foreground or painting out the background
  • AI generated photographs or images
  • Post processing methods that add new image content to the photograph via AI algorithms or by manual intervention

• All entries will be subject to a thorough vetting and screening process conducted by Save the Children.
• Save the Children reserves the right to disqualify an entry in the event that the results of vetting and or screen process are deemed unsatisfactory.
• Save the Children reserves the right to move eligible submissions to the most appropriate category from the category originally submitted under.
• Save the Children reserves the right to re-publish material of winners on its channels. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Your entry must be uploaded in JPEG format.
• It is the responsibility of the entrant to provide complete, accurate information about the entry. Save the Children shall not be liable for errors or omissions in the entry forms or credit information. If the entry form is inaccurate or incomplete, if the entry does not meet the eligibility requirements, or if it is deemed ineligible for any other reason, then the entry will be disqualified.
• Award winners will be selected from shortlisted entries by Save the Children and provided to the judging panel. The judges will review the shortlisted entries and select finalists and an award winner in each category. Announcement of award winners will be made at the GMA Virtual Award Ceremony 2024 on 20 November. Announcement dates and times will be listed on the GMA webpage once confirmed.
• Judges will consider all eligible shortlisted entries and score each entry against the criteria for the selected award category.
• Judges will not allow personal relationships or experiences to influence judging marks or decisions and their judging will be impartial and based on the outlined criteria. Judges will declare any actual and/or perceived conflict of interest to Save the Children ahead of evaluating any shortlisted entries. In the event where a judge may have a vested interest that is unavoidable, a judge will recuse themselves from any discussion or judgment of that entry during the process and the entry will not be penalised as a result. All judging decisions and discussions are confidential and will not be shared or discussed with anyone outside of the judging panel ahead of the ceremony or thereafter. Judges will not share confidential material or entries with anyone.
• Organisers and judges will not enter into any correspondence with entrants on the subject of their submission.
• The winner of each category is invited to attend a Save the Children international press trip or programme visit in their country of residence, with Save the Children covering up to £1,500 of the trip, with the expectation that the winner(s) will produce a media story from the trip.
• Entrants can give credit to up to three other people involved in the publication of the piece. However, Save the Children will only cover up to a combined total of £1,500 for the press trip/programme visit, in the event an entry with multiple authors wins.

• All entries must be uploaded digitally and presented in the following formats: MP3, MP4, JPG, PDF, Vimeo/YouTube link or via a link that allows the judges to review the material. Any links supplied must be accessible up to December 2024. Should this not be the case, alternative access to the entry must be provided.

You will be asked to submit your entries in one of the following ways:

• by uploading files ideally as PDF, JPG, MP3 or MP4 to our viewing platform.
• For video, please submit a link to your own viewing platform (eg: vimeo/youtube).

Each entry should be submitted along with the following information:

• Synopsis and impact statement.
• Credits for up to three (3) people connected with the entry in the description.
• A letter from the media outlet certifying that the piece was published in their outlet and certifying the date of publication of the piece.

1. Relevance: 

• Compelling Storytelling: Expose a child rights issue or highlights children taking action for positive change through compelling storytelling.
• Fresh Perspective: Introduce a child rights issue to the outlet’s audiences, either for the first time or in a fresh and innovative way.
• Engaging and Appropriate: Be engaging and appropriate for the intended audience.

2. Children’s Voices and Safeguarding  

• Inclusion of Child Voices: Include case studies, first-hand accounts, or testimonials from children (or their parents / guardians) to amplify their voices and provide a human perspective.
• Adherence to Child Safeguarding: Comply with child safeguarding standards and ethical reporting practices, ensuring the rights of children involved were not compromised and their dignity and privacy respected.
• Balanced and Fair: Demonstrate impartial, objective, and unbiased reporting on child rights issues.

3. Impact and Innovation: 

• Further Media Coverage: If the piece resulted in additional media coverage on the child rights
• Demonstrable Impact: Evidence of positive change for children, such as changes in policy or law, or proof of a positive impact on the lives of those whose stories have been told.
• Recognition of Creativity: Awards will be given to entries that demonstrate innovative and creative approaches to storytelling, capturing audiences’ attention and bringing awareness to critical child rights topics.

For the Local/Regional category, it is acknowledged that certain outlets may be limited in their budget and resources, and this category will be judged accordingly.