ECCB launches 2026 Creative Youth Competition

THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN Bank (ECCB) has launched its 2026 Creative Youth Competition for fulltime students of secondary schools and colleges, aged 12-20 in all eight of its member countries. In a release, the Bank said this is so the students could demonstrate their creativity, critical thinking skills and talents through various genres including essay writing, poetry, song writing and art.

For 2026, students who wish to participate in the competition will be required to create a poem on one of the following topics: 1.Voices of a Changing Caribbean.

2. Becoming Me – Exploring Identity, Growth and Self-discovery.

3.Through My Own Eyes.

Students are also required to submit a three-minute video of themselves reciting the poem.

The topics were selected in collaboration with secondary school teachers and students from the ECCB member countries.

Entries will be judged in two categories: ages 12 to 15, and 16 to 20, and will be assessed for: creativity and originality;

quality and execution; adherence to the selected topic/clarity; use of medium and overall impression; and freedom of expression.

Cash prizes, tokens and trophies amounting to $26,000.00 will be awarded to the top three winners, their respective schools, and individuals who mentor the students in the creation of their pieces.

Entries for the 2026 ECCB Creative Youth Competition must be submitted via the CYC portal on the ECCB’s website, no later than March 31, 2026.

More information about the ECCB Creative Youth Competition can be obtained from the Bank’s website, www.eccb-centralbank. org and Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/ECCB Connects/.