The world is facing increasingly worrying shared futures, but young people are not waiting for permission to take action. To celebrate this dynamism and provide a platform for meaningful, youth-led work, The 50 Percent and UNESCO MOST BRIDGES are co-producing an open-access anthology focused on systems change.
If you are a young person aged 14 to 35, this is an invitation to share the work you are already leading. Below is a comprehensive guide to the project, curated from the questions arising and the advice given during the ‘We are not waiting’ webinar.
Understanding the project
What is the anthology about?
The aim is to document and showcase the innovative work young people are currently doing to drive systemic transformation. You do not need to have a project with proven, completed impact to submit. We are looking for active initiatives that are currently being tested or implemented, and which offer insights that others can learn from. Rather than theoretical ideas, the focus is on the practical, ongoing work you are leading.
What if my project is niche or rural?
Your location does not limit your contribution. Insights from remote or rural areas are incredibly valuable, and experiences from a small town can often offer lessons applicable to others across the globe.
Eligibility and submission
Who can submit?
- Age requirements: Individuals or small teams aged 14 to 35 at the time of submission.
- Academic status: No academic credentials or institutional affiliations are required. We care about your lived experience and genuine engagement with your theme.
- Under-18s: Please submit your abstract through an adult so they can manage the necessary permissions and legal requirements.
- Project ownership: If you are a collaborator, you may submit, provided you have the project owner’s permission. We encourage co-authoring with the project leaders.
Can I submit multiple abstracts?
Yes, you may submit multiple abstracts if they relate to different, unique initiatives. However, if you are working in a team, we recommend coordinating to send one high-quality joint submission rather than multiple individual entries for the same project.
Can I submit the same project to more than one theme?
If your initiative naturally bridges multiple areas, you are welcome to highlight those intersections. However, ensure that you do not force your project into multiple themes just to increase your chances — focus on the theme or themes that best capture the core systemic change your project is driving.
What about projects that are starting or ending?
- Future projects: We cannot accept concepts for projects launching next year, as we are looking for work that has already begun.
- Completed projects: You may submit an initiative that has been completed, provided its impact continues.
Preparing your abstract
What are the six themes?
You can submit your abstract to one or more of these chapters:
- Reweaving the future: Regenerative, community-centred economies.
- Ecological resistance and restoration: Climate justice and renewing the living world.
- Living in circular futures: Circular innovation and low-impact living.
- Between fracture and repair: Youth-led peacebuilding and social cohesion.
- Communities of care: Mutual aid built on solidarity.
- Stories that move systems: Art, culture and storytelling as transformation.
Submission guidelines
- Length: Maximum 500 words.
- Content: Describe your initiative, the context, what makes it distinct and what your community has learned.
- Creative formats: We encourage you to use the medium that best conveys your story. While the anthology is text-based, we welcome submissions that incorporate visual or creative elements — such as photo essays, comic strips or illustrations — to help communicate your initiative’s impact or the systemic change you are driving. If you include these, please ensure they are well integrated with your written abstract to provide a clear, coherent narrative.
- Language and tone: Use clear, accessible language rather than academic jargon. We want to hear your authentic voice.
- Referencing: If your work is inspired by an existing theory or methodology, acknowledge it. This demonstrates due diligence and allows the team to understand the roots of your intervention.
- AI policy: We ask that you do not use AI to generate your work — we want to hear your genuine creativity. AI is acceptable for grammar, translation or reference formatting, but you must include a note at the bottom of your submission specifying where and how you used it.
Navigating the submission portal
How do I submit my abstract?
The submission process is managed through a dedicated digital portal. You will need to complete the following steps:
- Accessing the form: Visit the official We are not waiting project page to locate the link to the submission form.
- Filling in details: The form will ask for your personal contact information, demographic details and a short bio. You will then see a primary text field where you must paste your 500-word abstract.
- Formatting your text: We recommend drafting your abstract in a separate document first to check your word count, then copying and pasting it into the portal. Ensure there is no unusual formatting that might be lost during the paste.
- Submitting visual media: If your contribution includes visual components, host them on a platform like Google Drive and include the direct link within your abstract text or the “additional links” field. Before you submit, test your link in an incognito or private browser window. If the link is locked or requires a sign-in, we may not be able to review your work. Ensure your file settings are set to “Anyone with the link can view.”
- Contact details: Use a permanent, personal email address that you check regularly. Avoid using temporary school or university emails, as communication regarding the publication and anthology launch will extend through to the end of 2027.
Timeline and selection
- Abstract deadline: 31 August.
- Shortlist notification: 30 October.
- Full contribution (2,000 words): Selected contributors will be invited to submit by 13 December, with a final notification regarding acceptance to follow.
What if my abstract is not selected?
The anthology is limited to 18 contributions, meaning the selection process is competitive. Not being selected does not reflect the quality or impact of your work. If your abstract is not chosen, there are still other opportunities:
- Network mapping: UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES is actively mapping projects, and your work might still be a fit for the BRIDGES Recognition Programme or the Mapping Initiative.
- Alternative features: The BRIDGES team is always seeking interesting stories and blogs for their website, providing further avenues to amplify your voice.
- Future editions: If the anthology is well received, it could evolve into a recurring series, offering future opportunities for your work to be featured in subsequent volumes.
Submission checklist
Before you submit, please verify the following:
- Is your abstract within the 500-word limit?
- Do you have explicit permission from all project leads or team members if submitting on their behalf?
- Have you included a note if AI tools were used for grammar or translation?
- Are your links set to public access?
- Is your contact email one you will still use through to the end of 2027?
- Have you cited any external theories or methodologies used in your work?
- Does your writing avoid academic jargon and speak to a general, engaged audience?
- Is your abstract original and not a duplicate of a previously published work?
We look forward to receiving your abstract!
Further information
For full project details, submission criteria and a deeper look at the vision behind this initiative, please visit https://the50percent.org/programmes/we-are-not-waiting/.
You can also watch the recording of the We are not waiting Q&A webinar: