- 15/07/2025
- Posted by: Sandra Borma
- Category: News
To celebrate the United Nations’ International Year of Women and Girls in Agriculture in 2026, COLEAD has launched ‘Voices from the Earth’, a global poetry and song contest that highlights the vital contribution of women farmers to food security and sustainable development. The theme for 2025/26 is ‘Women farmers are cultivating sustainable futures’, reflecting the priorities of the United Nations and COLEAD’s mission.
Latest news:
- Djaïli Amadou Amal, a Cameroonian writer and patron of the first edition of the competition, discusses it here.
- Oliver Herrera, a poet, member of the COLEAD Board of Directors and initiator of the competition, shares his views in an interview, which is available here.
- Several artists and poets from around the world have joined the jury, and the full list will be announced this summer.
New deadline for submitting your poems and songs: 31 December 2025
At the request of the jury, the closing date has been extended to 31 December 2025 to allow for better promotion of the initiative in their respective regions.
Don’t wait any longer to take part — click here to submit your poem or song.
This is a competition open to all.
Launched on International Women’s Day (8 March), the competition is open to everyone, regardless of age or location. You can submit:
– poems (free verse or rhyming);
– slam, musical compositions that pay tribute to women farmers who are driving a sustainable world.
There will be prizes, publication and events.
The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will receive special prizes and be honoured at international events in 2026. The best entries will be published in a dedicated anthology.
Why take part?
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a global movement celebrating women in the agricultural transition, promoting solidarity, diversity, and sustainability.
The transition from agriculture to culture is a small step.
To participate, just click here
More information about the competition rules here.
Let’s work together to amplify the voices of women farmers worldwide!
