October 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the UN Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda — a milestone in the global struggle for gender equality, peace, and justice. To celebrate this occasion, we invite high school and university students worldwide to creatively explore WPS in Central and Eastern Europe. In cooperation with GEARUP! project we can build bridges across EU and IPA countries, encourage cooperation beyond borders and inspire young people to becomeactive global citizens.

You should work with the broad question: What are the most pressing gendered dynamics shaping peace and security in Central and Eastern Europe today? We are looking for bold and originalsubmissions that examine the gendered dynamics of peace and security in the region.

Submissions should focus on any aspect of the WPS Agenda — including its four pillars (participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery) — or explore related, urgent issues such as:

Conflict and peace activism – e.g., how do women and girls shape peace efforts in your community?

What is the impact of armed conflicts (immediate or long-term) on different groups (women, girls,

men, boys, LGBTQI+ people, ethnic minorities, etc.)? What is the role of women soldiers in armed

conflict or peacekeeping?

Gendered aspects of global climate change and its impact on peace and security – e.g., how are

women environmental activists shaping national or international policy? How does climate change

affect different genders in distinct ways, and what does this mean for peace and security?

Cybersecurity and technology-facilitated gender-based violence – e.g., how does rapidly progressing

AI impact women’s safety and security? What roles do women play in cyber-security?

Refugees and displacement – e.g., what gendered challenges do war and climate refugees face in

host countries? How do refugees contribute to and enrich the communities where they settle?

Human rights activism and the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda – e.g., how have women’s

rights and youth human rights organisations shaped gender equality politics and policies in your

country?

Or any other intersecting challenges affecting the region.

Submissions must be clearly linked to the WPS Agenda and include the words “Gear UP!” or contain a reference to visuals related to the project.

Submissions can take any form — a poster, short video, podcast, zine, TikTok series, or another creative medium. Please ensure that your submission can either be sent as an email attachment or uploaded online so it is accessible to the committee. Submissions may be individual or group work, but all must be in English (or subtitled).

Who can apply? High school and university students (undergraduate or postgraduate/BA or MA) from anywhere in the world Submissions must focus on WPS in Central and Eastern Europe

All questions and submissions should be sent via email to katerina.krulisova02@ntu.ac.uk with your contact details and the subject line: WPS@25 Student Competition.

Submission deadline: 22 October

Winner announced: 5 November

Prize: EUR 200 voucher