The ILO BRMM University Essay Competition 2026 invites university students across East and Horn of Africa to write on safe labour migration, with entries closing on 25 November 2026. First-place winners will present their work at the Fifth Labour Migration Advisory Group (LMAG) meeting in Zanzibar, with travel and accommodation covered by the ILO. It is one of three writing competitions launched by the ILO to encourage discussion on safe labour migration in the region.
Complete guide to the ILO BRMM University Essay Competition 2026, covering eligibility criteria, essay guidelines, important dates, benefits and funding, documents required, selection process and the application process.
Quick Highlights
Parameter
Details
Organization
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Competition
Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition
Opportunity Type
Essay writing competition
Location
East and Horn of Africa (regional)
Eligible Countries
Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda
Eligibility
Currently enrolled bachelor's or postgraduate students aged 18 or over on the closing date
Age Limit
18 or over on the closing date
Entry Type
Individual entries only, one essay per student
Essay Length
1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references
Language
English and/or French
Application Start Date
3 November 2026
Application Deadline
25 November 2026
Result Date
30 November 2026
Application Method
Submit essay, entry form and supporting documents through the channel given in the official notification
The International Labour Organization (ILO) runs the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, and this university essay competition is part of three writing competitions launched by the ILO to promote discussion on safe labour migration. The competition is aimed at university students interested in labour migration issues in the East and Horn of Africa region.
Promote discussion on safe labour migration in East and Horn of Africa
Part of
Three writing competitions launched by the ILO on safe labour migration
Target Audience
University students interested in labour migration issues in the region
Winner Recognition
First-place winners present their work at the Fifth LMAG meeting in Zanzibar
Eligibility Criteria for the ILO BRMM University Essay Competition 2026
Only students currently enrolled in a bachelor's or postgraduate programme at a university in the seven specified countries, aged 18 or over, can enter as individuals with one essay each. Applicants must be currently enrolled on the closing date and must not be recent graduates.
Requirement
Details
Enrolment
Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or postgraduate programme at a university in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda
Age
18 or over on the closing date
Entry Format
Individual entries only, one essay per student
Essay Length
1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references
Language
English and/or French
Originality
Original, unpublished work with sources listed
Recommendation
At least one practical recommendation included in the essay
Graduate Status
Must be currently enrolled on the closing date; recent graduates are not eligible
Key Dates and Deadlines
Entries open on 3 November 2026 and close on 25 November 2026, with anonymous judging immediately after and winners announced on 30 November 2026. The window is short, so applicants should prepare the essay, entry form and supporting documents well before the closing date.
Event
Date
Application Start
3 November 2026
Last Date to Apply
25 November 2026
Anonymous Judging
26 to 27 November 2026
Result / Winner Notification
30 November 2026
Fifth LMAG Meeting, Zanzibar
16 to 18 December 2026
Benefits and Funding
The stated benefit is an invitation for first-place winners to present their work at the Fifth LMAG in Zanzibar on 16-18 December 2026, with travel and accommodation covered by the ILO. This is a recognition and presentation opportunity rather than a cash award.
Detail
Information
First-Place Prize
Invitation to Fifth LMAG in Zanzibar, 16-18 December 2026
Travel Coverage
Covered by the ILO for invited first-place winners
Accommodation Coverage
Covered by the ILO for invited first-place winners
Award Type
Recognition and presentation opportunity, not a cash award
Coverage Applies To
Invited first-place winners for participation in the Zanzibar meeting
Essay Guidelines and Documents Required
Applicants need an anonymous essay file plus an entry form, student ID and originality statement submitted together. The entry form collects academic and contact details to link the anonymous essay to the author after judging.
Document / Rule
Details
Essay File Format
Word or PDF file without the author's name for anonymous judging
Essay Length
1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references
Essay Language
English and/or French
Essay Content
Original, unpublished work with sources listed and at least one practical recommendation
Entry Form
Name, university, faculty, year of study, country, email and phone number
Student ID
Copy of student ID to confirm current enrolment
Originality Statement
Signed statement that the work is original
Selection Process
Selection is through essay submission by the closing date, followed by anonymous judging and notification of winners who will present in Zanzibar.
Stage
Details
1. Submission
Submit essay and entry form by the closing date, 25 November 2026
2. Anonymous Judging
Judging on 26 to 27 November 2026; essays must not carry the author's name
3. Assessment Basis
Only essays meeting the originality, length and recommendation requirements are considered
4. Winner Notification
Winners notified 30 November 2026
5. Presentation
First-place winners present their work at the Fifth LMAG in Zanzibar, 16-18 December 2026
How to Apply
Step
Action
1
Visit the official ILO page and read the competition announcement and entry instructions
2
Prepare your essay of 1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references in English and/or French, with sources listed and at least one practical recommendation
3
Save the essay as a Word or PDF file without your name for anonymous judging
4
Complete the entry form with name, university, faculty, year of study, country, email and phone number
5
Keep ready a copy of your student ID and a signed statement that the work is original
6
Submit the essay, entry form and supporting documents through the channel given in the official notification by 25 November 2026
Q1. What is the ILO BRMM University Essay Competition 2026?
It is a university essay writing competition run under the ILO's Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, seeking essays on safe labour migration in East and Horn of Africa.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
Applications opened on 3 November 2026 and the last date to submit your essay and entry form is 25 November 2026.
Q3. Who is eligible for the competition?
You must be currently enrolled in a bachelor's or postgraduate programme at a university in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda, aged 18 or over on the closing date, and submit an individual entry with only one essay per student.
Q4. What are the essay requirements?
The essay should be 1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references, written in English and/or French, original and unpublished, with sources listed and at least one practical recommendation.
Q5. What documents are required to apply?
Your essay as a Word or PDF file without your name, the entry form with your name, university, faculty, year of study, country, email and phone number, a copy of your student ID and a signed statement that the work is original.
Q6. How are winners selected?
All essays received by the closing date go through anonymous judging on 26 to 27 November 2026, and winners are notified on 30 November 2026.
Q7. What benefits do winners receive?
First-place winners are invited to the Fifth LMAG in Zanzibar from 16 to 18 December 2026, with the ILO covering their travel and accommodation.
Q8. Is the competition open to recent graduates?
No, applicants must be currently enrolled on the closing date; recent graduates are not eligible.
Q9. Can I submit more than one essay?
No, entries are individual only, with one essay permitted per student.
Q10. Where can I find the entry form and submission instructions?
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