Freshwater and Resilient Islands
About the contest
Freshwater and Resilient Islands is a global photography initiative consisting of a contest and exhibition. It is organised as part of the 2nd Islands Water Congress, taking place in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from 27–29 January 2027.
The contest invites people from around the world to share photographs exploring freshwater and resilience in island communities and environments.
Selected photographs will be exhibited during the Congress, bringing personal and visual perspectives into conversations around water security and climate resilience.
Deadline for submissions: 13 December 2026
Freshwater, islands and resilience
We are looking for photographs that tell stories of freshwater and resilience in island communities and environments.
Submissions should explore how islands experience, respond to and adapt to freshwater challenges. This could include the impacts of water scarcity, drought, flooding, extreme weather and climate change, as well as the ways communities protect, manage and adapt their freshwater resources.
Photographs may capture freshwater resilience in many forms: people and communities; traditional practices and local knowledge; freshwater ecosystems and landscapes; water collection, storage and supply; adaptation and recovery following extreme events; innovative solutions; or everyday relationships with freshwater that demonstrate resilience, stewardship and change.
The photograph does not need to depict a formal water project or piece of infrastructure. We encourage photographers to look beyond the technical and show what freshwater resilience means in island life through people, places, practices, landscapes and moments.
Submissions must have a clear connection to freshwater, an island context and resilience. Photographs focused solely on marine or coastal environments should only be submitted where there is a clear connection to freshwater resilience.
Deadline: 13 December 2026
Each submission must include:
• Up to three high-resolution photographs in JPEG/JPG or TIFF format. A minimum of 2400 pixels on the longest side of each photo
• A title for the overall submission
• A caption of no more than 30 words for each photograph, explaining its story, context and/or significance
• The island and/or country where each photograph was taken
• The photographer’s full name
• A signed Photography Usage Authorisation Form (provided during the submission process)
•Each photograph must be at least 2400 pixels on its longest side
• Photographs may be portrait, landscape or square
• Photographs must not include watermarks, borders or added text
• Images must be of sufficient quality and resolution for professional printing and exhibition
• AI-generated photographs are not permitted
Deadline: 13 December 2026
Submissions must be entered via the Islands Water Congress website
You do not need to be a professional photographer, a member of IWRA, or registered to attend the 2nd Islands Water Congress to participate.
There is no fee to enter.
Selection and awards
Following the submission deadline, eligible photographs will be reviewed and shortlisted before being assessed by an independent judging panel.
Photographs will be considered based on their connection to the theme, visual storytelling, originality, and overall impact.
The judging panel will select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, while a People’s Choice Award will be decided by participants at the 2nd Islands Water Congress.
Winners will be announced during the Closing Ceremony on 29 January 2027.
Prizes
1st Place
- Silver IWRA Membership
- Winning photograph featured as the cover of the Congress policy report
- Opportunity to present the photograph and its story during the Closing Ceremony, in person or virtually
- Dedicated feature on the winning photograph and photographer across IWRA communications
- Certificate of recognition
2nd Place
- Silver IWRA Membership
- Photograph prominently featured within the Congress policy report
- Recognition during the Closing Ceremony
- Included in IWRA communications announcing the winning photographs
- Certificate of recognition
3rd Place
- Silver IWRA Membership
- Photograph featured within the Congress policy report
- Recognition during the Closing Ceremony
- Included in IWRA communications announcing the winning photographs
- Certificate of recognition
People’s Choice Award
- Silver IWRA Membership
- Photograph featured within the policy report as the People’s Choice Award winner
- Recognition during the Closing Ceremony
- Dedicated People’s Choice feature across IWRA communications
- Certificate of recognition
Exhibition
A selection of 20 photographs will be exhibited at the 2nd Islands Water Congress in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from 27–29 January 2027.
Each selected photograph will be displayed with the photograph title, photographer’s name, island and country, and accompanying 30-word story.
The exhibition will also be shared digitally, allowing the photographs and their stories to reach audiences beyond the Congress.
Originality and image rights
Submissions may be submitted by an individual. In all cases, photographs must be their original work.
Submissions must not plagiarise or infringe the copyright, intellectual property or other rights of any third party.
Photographers retain full copyright ownership of their images. Photographs will always be credited to the photographer.
By submitting a photograph, participants grant the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the Water Resources Authority of Jamaica (WRA) and the Islands Water Congress a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to reproduce, display and distribute the photograph for Congress-related purposes.
This includes use in the physical and digital exhibition, Congress website and online gallery, Congress programmes and reports, IWRA and WRA communications, social media, Congress publications and materials promoting current and future editions of the Islands Water Congress.
Submitted photographs will not be sold or licensed to third parties for commercial purposes.
Photographers are responsible for ensuring that their photographs are taken and submitted ethically.
The Congress reserves the right not to accept photographs that may compromise the dignity, privacy or safety of the people or communities depicted.