ILO BRMM University Essay Competition 2026 - Apply by Nov 25
Quick Summary
| Item | Details | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Update Type | Opportunity update | What this post is about |
| Organisation | International Labour Organization | Body conducting this opportunity update |
| Post / Exam | Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition | Name of the post, exam or programme |
| Apply Start Date | 3 November 2026 | First day applications are accepted |
| Last Date | 25 November 2026 | Final day to submit the application |
| Result | 30 November 2026 | When results are expected or were declared |
| Age Limit | Aged 18 or over on the closing date | Minimum and maximum age allowed |
| Salary / Stipend | First-place winners invited to Fifth LMAG in Zanzibar 16-18 December 2026 with travel and accommodation covered by ILO | Pay scale or monthly stipend offered |
| Eligibility | Students currently enrolled in a bachelor's or postgraduate programme at a university in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda;… | Minimum qualification needed to apply |
| Selection Process | Submit essay and entry form by closing date → Anonymous judging 26 to 27 November 2026 → Winners notified 30 November 2026 and first-place winners present work… | Stages candidates go through |
| Official Website | ilo.org | Apply and download the official notification here |
Applications for the International Labour Organization (ILO) Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 close on 25 November 2026, with first-place winners invited to Zanzibar with travel and accommodation covered. Open to students aged 18 and over enrolled in universities in seven East and Horn of Africa countries, the competition seeks essays on safe labour migration, as per the official ILO announcement.
ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026: What the Opportunity Covers
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 invites university students to write on safe labour migration in East and Horn of Africa, with entries closing on 25 November 2026.
The competition is part of three writing competitions launched by the ILO to promote discussion on safe labour migration. It is aimed at university students interested in labour migration issues in the region. First-place winners will present their work at the Fifth Labour Migration Advisory Group (LMAG) meeting in Zanzibar, as per the official notification.
ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Only students currently enrolled in a bachelor's or postgraduate programme at a university in seven specified countries, aged 18 or over, can enter as individuals with one essay each.
- Students currently enrolled in a bachelor's or postgraduate programme at a university in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda
- Aged 18 or over on the closing date
- Individual entries only, one essay per student
- Essay 1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references in English and/or French, original unpublished work with sources listed and at least one practical recommendation
Who the competition is for
This is a university-level opportunity for East and Horn of Africa students interested in safe labour migration. Applicants must be currently enrolled on the closing date, not recent graduates.
What to watch for
Eligibility is strictly individual, as per the official notification. The seven eligible countries are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Essays must meet the length, language and originality conditions summarised under Documents Required and Essay Guidelines.
ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 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.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | 3 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 25 November 2026 |
| Result | 30 November 2026 |
The window is short, so applicants should prepare the essay, entry form and supporting documents well before the closing date. Judging takes place on 26 to 27 November 2026, and winners are notified on 30 November 2026 to allow travel preparation for the December event in Zanzibar, as per the official notification.
ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 Benefits, Fees or Stipend
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, as per the official notification. Coverage applies to the invited first-place winners for participation in the Zanzibar meeting. Refer to the official website for any additional details on the programme.
ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 Selection Process
Selection is through essay submission by the closing date, followed by anonymous judging and notification of winners who will present in Zanzibar.
- Submit essay and entry form by closing date
- Anonymous judging 26 to 27 November 2026
- Winners notified 30 November 2026 and first-place winners present work in Zanzibar
How entries are assessed
Judging is anonymous on 26 to 27 November 2026, which is why essays must not carry the author's name. Only essays meeting the originality, length and recommendation requirements are considered.
After selection
Winners are notified on 30 November 2026, as per the official notification. First-place winners then present their work at the Fifth LMAG in Zanzibar.
How to Apply for ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026
Applications must be submitted with the essay and entry form before the closing date, as per the official notification.
- Visit the official ILO page and read the competition announcement and entry instructions.
- 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.
- Save the essay as a Word or PDF file without your name for anonymous judging.
- Complete the entry form with name, university, faculty, year of study, country, email and phone number.
- Keep ready a copy of your student ID and a signed statement that the work is original.
- Submit the essay, entry form and supporting documents through the channel given in the official notification by 25 November 2026.
- Wait for winner notification on 30 November 2026.
ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 Documents Required and Essay Guidelines
Applicants need an anonymous essay file plus an entry form, student ID and originality statement submitted together.
- Essay in Word or PDF file without author's name for anonymous judging
- Entry form with name, university, faculty, year of study, country, email and phone number
- Copy of student ID
- Signed statement that the work is original
Essay file rules
The essay must be original, unpublished work in Word or PDF without the author's name. It should be 1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references, written in English and/or French, with sources listed and at least one practical recommendation, as per the official notification.
Entry details to keep ready
The entry form collects academic and contact details to link the anonymous essay to the author after judging. A copy of student ID confirms current enrolment, while the signed statement confirms originality. Incomplete submissions risk exclusion from anonymous judging.
ILO Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme University Essay Writing Competition 2026 Important Links
All applications and updates are handled through the ILO announcement for the three writing competitions on safe labour migration.
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Website | ilo.org |
Use only the links in the Important Links table for the announcement and application channel. As the entry window closes on 25 November 2026, check the download notification page early for the entry form and submission instructions, as per the official notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for the ILO BRMM University Essay Writing Competition 2026?
Applications opened on 3 November 2026 and the last date to submit your essay and entry form is 25 November 2026.
Who is eligible for the ILO BRMM University Essay Writing Competition 2026?
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. You must be aged 18 or over on the closing date and submit an individual entry with only one essay per student.
What are the essay requirements for the ILO BRMM competition?
The essay should be 1,200 to 1,500 words excluding references and written in English and/or French. It must be original unpublished work with sources listed and include at least one practical recommendation.
What documents are required to apply for the ILO essay competition?
You need to send your essay as a Word or PDF file without your name for anonymous judging along with the entry form showing your name, university, faculty, year of study, country, email and phone number. You must also attach a copy of your student ID and a signed statement that the work is original.
How are winners selected for the BRMM University Essay Writing Competition?
All essays received by the closing date will go through anonymous judging on 26 to 27 November 2026. Winners will be notified on 30 November 2026 and first-place winners will present their work in Zanzibar.
What benefits will winners of the ILO essay competition receive?
First-place winners will be invited to the Fifth LMAG in Zanzibar from 16 to 18 December 2026. The ILO will cover their travel and accommodation for the event.
Explore related topics
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