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UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2026
UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2026
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Awarding Organisation: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
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Established: 1967
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2026 Theme: “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”
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Venue: Chiapas, Mexico
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Total Laureates: 6
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Prize Money: US$30,000 per laureate, along with a medal and diploma/certificate
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Objective: Promote literacy, lifelong learning, equity and sustainable development, contributing to SDG Target 4.6.(Ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy by 2030.)
1. UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize — 3 Laureates
Supported by: Government of the Republic of Korea
Established: 1989
Focus: Mother-tongue and multilingual literacy
Established: 1989
Focus: Mother-tongue and multilingual literacy
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Escuelas LEO Programme — Colombia
Implemented by BibloRed, Bogotá; focuses on intercultural and multilingual literacy for Indigenous peoples, Deaf people, migrants and displaced communities. -
Language Friendly School Programme — Netherlands
Run by the Rutu Foundation; promotes the use of students’ home languages alongside the language of instruction. -
Project PAL (Primary Accelerated Literacy) — Nigeria
Implemented by WAER Waters Charity Foundation; supports out-of-school children in conflict-affected areas through solar-powered literacy hubs, indigenous-language teaching and Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL).
2. UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy — 3 Laureates
Supported by: Government of the People’s Republic of China
Established: 2005
Focus: Functional literacy, rural communities, out-of-school youth and technology
Established: 2005
Focus: Functional literacy, rural communities, out-of-school youth and technology
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Accelerated Education for Out-of-School Displaced Youth — Lebanon
Alsama Project provides accelerated education combining literacy, numeracy and life skills for displaced youth. -
Chiapas Puede State Literacy Programme — Mexico
Covers 121 municipalities in Chiapas and focuses particularly on Indigenous communities and women through bilingual education, digital tools and community study circles. -
Language for Life Programme — Thailand
Started by Hat Yai City Municipality; promotes multilingual literacy and practical language skills related to disaster communication, environment and economic activities.
UNESCO – Important Facts
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Full Form: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
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Established: 16 November 1945
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Headquarters: Paris, France
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Type: UN Specialized Agency
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Current Director-General: Khaled El-Enany (Egypt)
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